- 


BANCROFT 
LIBRARY 

<> 

THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


MORMONISM 

AND 

THE     MORMONS: 

A 
HISTORICAL    VIEW 

OF  THE 

RISE    AND    PROGRESS 

OF  THE  SECT  SELF-STYLED 

LATTER-DAY    SAINTS. 
V^v  I  sK 

BY  DANIEL  -P.  KIDDER. 


Now  the  Spirit  speaketh  expressly  that  in  the  LATTER  TIMES 
some  shall  depart  from  the  faith,  giving  heed  to  seducing  spirits, 
and  doctrines  of  devils,  speaking  lies  in  hypocrisy,  having  their 
conscience  seared  with  a  hot  iron.  —  1  TIMOTHY  iv,  1-3. 


PUBLISHED  BY  CARLTON  &  PHILLIPS, 

200    MULBERRY-STREET. 

1856. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1842,  by 
G.  LANE  &  P.  P.  SANDFORD,  in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District 
Court  of  the  Southern  District  of  New-York. 


BANCF"- 


PREFACE. 


IT  is  due  to  the  writer,  no  less  than  to  the 
reader,  that  the  circumstances  which  have  call- 
ed forth  the  present  volume  should  be  stated. 
On  the  13th  of  Nov.,  1840,  I  was  at  a  place 
called  Fulton  City,  on  the  upper  waters  of  the 
Mississippi  river,  waiting  for  the  descent  of 
some  steamboat  in  which  I  might  take  passage. 
About  day-break  the  next  morning  a  boat  was 
hailed,  and  I  went  on  board.  The  bustle  of 
embarkation  was  hardly  over  before  I  learned 
that  the  boat  was  owned  and  principally  man- 
ned by  Mormons,  being  called  Nauvoo.  It 
moreover  carried  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  in  the  cha- 
racter of  passenger ;  although  hi  reality  he  was 
chief  director  of  the  whole  concern.  It  ap- 
peared that  among  the  multitudes  drawn  toge- 
ther at  the  Mormon  settlements  in  the  west, 
were  a  number  of  individuals  more  or  less  ac- 
quainted with  navigation.  In  order  that  their 
talent  might  not  be  unemployed,  Smith  and  his 
coadjutors  had  purchased  a  steamboat,  and  com- 
menced running  it  on  the  river  for  purposes  of 
speculation,  and  also  doubtless  with  a  view  to 
accommodating  their  colony  a*  Nauvoo.  On 


4  PREFACE. 

board  this  boat  was  a  small,  but  promiscuous 
company  of  passengers,  most  of  whom,  having 
embarked  without  a  knowledge  of  the  peculiar 
company  into  which  they  would  be  introduced, 
soon  found  themselves  annoyed  by  a  system  of 
surveillance  that  was  maintained  over  them. 
If  in  their  conversation  any  remarks  were 
dropped  indicative  of  doubt  concerning  the 
truth  of  Mormonism,  or  of  want  of  respect  to- 
ward the  leaders  of  that  sect,  they  were  almost 
sure  to  be  reported  to  Smith.  He,  as  the  leader 
and  champion,  took  it  upon  himself  to  chastise 
with  severe  words  any  who  had  thus  offended. 
He  did  not  explain  the  manner  of  his  informa- 
tion respecting  the  expressions  of  those  with 
whom  he  had  not  conversed  ;  but  asserted  him- 
self to  be  "  a  discerner  of  spirits,"  and  affected 
to  disclose  what  was  in  the  heart  of  others.  In 
short,  his  repeated  treatment  of  those  who  did 
not  acknowledge  his  pretensions,  exemplified 
an  assertion  of  his  own,  viz.,  that  in  order  to 
get  through  the  world  to  the  best  advantage,  he 
had  learned  to  browbeat  his  way.  I  had  at 
that  time  but  little  acquaintance  with  the  doc- 
trines or  peculiarities  of  Mormonism,  and  there- 
fore felt  bound  to  avail  myself  of  all  the  facili- 
ties for  gaining  information,  in  the  midst  of 
which  I  was  so  unexpectedly  thrown. 

I  will  neither  attempt  to  detail  what  passed 
in  the  course  of  the  two  or  three  days  I  spent 
in  company  with  the  individual  referred  to,  nor 
inquire  what  agency  his  prophetic  knowledge 
had  in  running  the  boat  out  of  her  proper  course, 


PREFACE.  5 

and  driving  her  upon  rocks,  at  a  moment  when 
he  himself  was  assisting  the  pilot  at  the  wheel! 
It  was  by  the  last-mentioned  circumstance  that 
my  passage  on  the  Nauvoo  was  interrupted,  and 
the  poor  boat  left  fast  upon  the  upper  rapids  of 
the  Mississippi,  until  a  rise  of  water  took  her  off. 

Perhaps  this  untoward  event  was  in  judg- 
ment upon  the  prophet  for  violating  the  com- 
mand of  one  of  his  own  revelations,  which 
originating,  as  it  would  appear,  in  his  having 
been  sadly  frightened  in  a  passage  on  one  of 
the  lakes,  forbade  himself  and  his  elders  ever 
exposing  their  precious  lives  to  the  perils  of 
navigation  otherwise  than  by  canal ! 

On  leaving  the  Nauvoo  for  another  boat, 
which  came  to  our  relief,  several  passengers 
of  the  former  requested  me  to  draw  up  a  state- 
ment of  what  we  had  witnessed  for  publication 
at  St.  Louis.  This  I  declined,  tmt  promised  at 
a  future  day  to  prepare  an  article  for  the  press, 
in  which,  without  setting  down  aught  on  the 
score  of  the  personal  treatment  we  had  received, 
I  would  endeavour  to  place  the  subject  of  Mor- 
monism  in  its  true  light.  Such  an  article  was 
prepared  for  publication  in  the  Methodist  Quar* 
terly  Review.  It  however  being  rather  too  long 
for  an  insertion  in  that  periodical,  the  editor  and 
others  recommended  its  revision  with  a  view  to 
publication  in  its  present  form. 

The  works  adopted  as  a  basis  of  the  review 
were, 

I.  The  Book  of  Mormon,  translated  by  Jo- 


6  PREFACE. 

seph  Smith,  Jr.,  third  edition,  carefully  revised 
by  the  Translator.  Nauvoo,  Illinois,  stereo- 
typed. Cincinnati,  1840. 

II.  Doctrine  and  Covenants  of  the  Church 
of  the  Latter-day  Saints  ;  carefully  selected  and 
compiled  from  the  Revelations  of  God,  by  Jo- 
seph Smith,  Jr.,  Oliver  Cowdery,  Sidney  Rig- 
don,  Frederick  G.  Williams,  (Presiding  Elders 
of  said  Church,)  Proprietors,  Kirtland,  Ohio, 
1835. 

III.  History  of  Mormonism  ;  or  a  faithful  Ac- 
count of  that  singular  Imposition  and  Delusion, 
with  Sketches  of  the  Characters  of  its  Propa- 
gators, to  which  are  added,  Inquiries  into  the 
probability  that  the  Historical  Part  of  the  Golden 
Bible  was  written  by  one  Solomon  Spalding, 
and  by  him  intended  to  have  been  published  as 
a  Romance.     By  E.  D.  Howe.     Painesville, 
Ohio,  1840. 

IV.  A  brief  History  of  the  Church  of  Christ 
of  Latter-day  Saints,   (commonly  called  Mor- 
mons,) including  an  Account  of  their  Doctrines 
and  Discipline,  with  Reasons  of  the  Author  for 
leaving  the  Church.     By  John  Corrill,  a  Mem- 
ber of  the  Legislature  of  Missouri.     St.  Louis, 
1839. 

These  books,  not  having  been  published  in 
the  Atlantic  states,  have  been  beyond  the  reach 
of  many  into  whose  hands  this  volume  will  fall. 

From  them,  as  containing  authentic  data  upon 
several  branches  of  the  subject,  extracts  have 
been  freely  made,  while  various  other  sources 
of  information  have  been  resorted  to,  including 


PREFACE.  7 

nearly  all  the  official  Mormon  publications,  a 
volume  of  the  Millennial  Star,  published  in 
England,  and  the  Times  and  Seasons,  now 
edited  by  Smith,  at  Nauvoo. 

A  want  of  materials  has  not  been  the  diffi- 
culty in  the  present  undertaking :  but  to  select 
such  as  would  repay  the  reader  for  examination 
was  a  task  which  it  would  perhaps  be  vain  in 
me  to  suppose  accomplished.  In  refuting  pre- 
tensions intrinsically  absurd,  argument  itself 
becomes  supererogation.  To  invest  with  inte- 
rest a  subject  which  of  itself  is  low  and  grovel- 
ling, can  only  be  done  by  elevating  that  subject 
to  a  rank  it  never  deserved.  These  considera- 
tions have  hitherto  induced  the  comparative 
silence  of  the  press  upon  the  proper  merits  of 
Mormonism.  The  delusion  in  the  mean  time 
has  spread,  until  its  growing  evils  have  won 
for  it  a  consequence  to  which  the  Christian  and 
the  philanthropist  can  be  no  longer  indifferent. 
Smith  already  claims  to  have  more  than  one 
hundred  thousand  followers.  Such  claim  is 
doubtless  made  for  effect,  and  is  grossly  exag- 
gerated. Nevertheless,  from  an  examination 
of  the  various  letters  and  reports  published  in 
his  official  paper,  I  am  forced  to  the  conclusion 
that  the  Mormons  actually  number  at  the  pre- 
sent time  about  EIGHTEEN  THOUSAND.  They 
are  distributed  nearly  as  follows  : — Nauvoo  and 
vicinity,  eight  thousand  five  hundred.  Other 
parts  of  the  United  States  and  Canada,  three 
thousand.  Great  Britain,  six  thousand  five 
hundred. 


8  PREFACE. 

While  many  have  feared  lest  any  refutation 
of  their  principles  should  only  give  them  in- 
creased notoriety,  and  while  the  materiel  of  a 
complete  and  convincing  exposure  of  their  er- 
rors and  schemes  has  been  accessible  to  but 
few,  they  have  by  no  means  been  indifferent  to 
the  power  of  the  press  as  an  auxiliary  to  their 
efforts.  They  have  published  several  newspa- 
pers in  the  United  States,  and  one  in  England. 
A  third  and  stereotype  edition  of  the  Book  of 
Mormon  has  been  issued  in  this  country.  The 
same  work  has  been  republished  in  England, 
together  with  a  hymn-book,  and  various  circu- 
lars and  pamphlets  setting  forth  their  dogmas. 
A  book  has  been  prepared  to  operate  in  their 
behalf  in  Germany.  One  of  their  elders  was, 
by  the  last  intelligence,  proceeding  across  the 
continent  of  Europe  on  a  mission  to  Palestine. 
A  newly  ordained  teacher  had  sailed  for  South 
Australasia,  and  another  in  the  army  ordered 
to  India. 

Let  any  one  reflect  upon  the  ruinous  nature 
of  this  delusion,  and  on  the  spiritual  blindness 
and  misery  it  will  inevitably  entail  upon  its 
successive  victims,  and  answer  if  American 
Christians  have  not  been  criminally  indifferent 
to  their  duty  both  of  informing  themselves  and 
the  world  of  its  true  character.  Ignorantly  it 
has  been  received  by  thousands.  The  leaven 
of  corruption  has  begun  to  work  far  and  near, 
and  who  can  tell  how  many  souls  will  be  con- 
taminated, or  how  many  years  shall  pass,  ere  it 
will  be  thoroughly  purged  out ! 


PREFACE.  9 

In  the  facts  which  this  work  exhibits,  the 
reader  will  find  the  spread  of  Mormonism  ac- 
counted for  on  natural  principles,  altogether 
independent  of  its  claim  to  the  divine  sanc- 
tion. It  will  be  understood  that  our  only  oppo- 
sition to  Mormonism  is  on  the  ground  of  its 
being  a  religious  imposture. 

That  its  adherents  are  entitled  to  all  the 
rights  and  immunities  of  freemen  we  strenuous- 
ly maintain.  That  they  have  been  wickedly 
persecuted  is  beyond  a  doubt ;  and  that  this 
circumstance  has  been  a  prime  cause  of  their 
recent  increase  is  equally  clear.  Finding  the 
plea  of  persecution  to  be  their  strong  hold,  it  is 
not  wonderful  that  they  should  resort  to  it  when 
hard  pressed  for  arguments.  Hence  it  appears 
to  have  become  their  habit  to  meet  whatever  is 
said  respecting  the  origin  of  their  sect  with  a 
flat,  but  unsatisfactory  denial.  This  undoubt- 
edly is  their  shortest  course,  and  that  which  is 
least  hazardous  of  self-contradiction.  How 
much  weight  such  denial  is  entitled  to,  may  be 
seen  in  its  conflicting  with  the  plainest  certified 
and  circumstantial  evidence. 

To  prevent  this  retreat  from  investigation 
under  cover  of  a  denial  to  well-authenticated 
facts,  I  have  been  obliged  to  preserve  in  bor- 
rowed language  many  statements  that  could 
have  been  made  at  once  more  brief,  and  more 
agreeable  to  the  reader  in  another  dress. 

The  present  work  was  not  undertaken  from 
a  desire  to  interest  the  curious,  or  to  edify  the 
learned.  To  place  within  the  reach  of  all  who 


10  PREFACE 

might  desire  them,  the  means  both  of  under- 
standing and  of  exposing  the  schemes  of  Mor- 
monism,  and  the  fanaticism  of  the  Mormons, 
was  the  leading  design  of  the  writer.  Utility, 
correspondent  to  this  object,  has  been  preferred 
in  all  cases  to  embellishment.  I  have  not  been 
insensible  to  the  vast  field  for  speculation  which 
is  opened  in  the  facts  here  narrated,  especially 
when  they  are  viewed  in  comparison  with  the 
fanaticisms  of  former  ages.  This  I  cheerfully 
leave  to  others.  To  exhibit  facts,  not  theories, 
has  been  my  simple  aim. 

The  general  style  of  a  review  has  been  pre- 
served. To  use  the  utmost  fairness  has  been 
my  aim.  Wherein  I  have  failed  I  hope  will  be 
shown. 

That  these  pages  may  be  instrumental  in 
checking  the  progress  both  of  fanaticism  and 
of  infidelity,  is  the  sincere  desire  with  which 
they  are  now  submitted  to  the  public. 

Some  delays  in  the  issue  of  this  work,  not  at 
first  anticipated,  have  on  the  whole  perhaps 
been  beneficial,  as  they  have  enabled  the  writer 
to  imbody,  in  an  appendix,  the  more  recent  facts 
that  have  come  to  his  knowledge,  up  to  the  very 
date  of  publication. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Prevalence  of  imposture — Religion  its  favourite  dis- 
guise— Character  of  Mormonism — Causes  of  its  spread — 
Extent  of  the  delusion — It  furnishes  capital  for  infidelity — 
Design  of  this  work — Wickedness  and  folly  of  persecu- 
tion— The  true  remedy — Notice  of  Howe's  History — 
Corrill's — Golden  Bible — Topics  of  inquiry. 

THERE  are  no  limits  to  imposture.  It  has 
flourished  in  all  ages  and  in  every  nation. 
Sometimes  its  very  simplicity  has  won  for  it 
compassion  ;  at  others  its  hideous  features  have 
frightened  men  into  compliance  with  its  man- 
dates. Here  it  has  moulded  the  dies  of  the 
counterfeiter,  and  there  it  has  woven  the 
gloomy  mask  of  superstition.  It  is  capable  of 
wearing,  with  equal  grace,  the  fantastic  garb 
of  professed  jugglery,  and  the  grave  insignia 
of  the  priesthood.  Now  it  conjures  up  the  con- 
trivances of  a  petty  bargain,  and  anon  it  plots 
the  scheme  of  a  political  intrigue.  It  prepares 
the  potion  of  the  empyric,  and  furnishes  testi- 
mony to  its  marvellous  effects.  It  lurks  in  the 
courts  and  cabinets  of  kings,  and  is  itself  en- 
throned in  the  tent  of  the  wandering  gipsy. 
In  short,  its  history  in  different  places  and  in 


12     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

successive  periods  illustrates  a  metempsychosis 
more  subtle  than  the  Brahmin  ever  conceived  ; 
while  its  ubiquity  has  only  been  second  to  that 
of  the  spirit  of  evil  in  the  heart  of  man.  But 
of  all  the  protean  shapes  it  assumes,  sanctity  is 
its  favourite.  Of  all  the  garbs  in  which  it  has 
ever  been  arrayed,  none  other  so  completely 
hides  its  deformity  as  that  of  religion. 

It  is  no  gratifying  reflection  that  this  enlight- 
ened age,  and  this  intelligent  country,  have 
witnessed  the  rise  and  spread  of  one  of  the  most 
absurd  and  pitiful  delusions  of  which  there  is 
any  account.  Every  one  has  heard  of  the 
"  Golden  Bible,"  and  of  the  Mormon  prophet. 
While  the  very  pretensions  of  either  have  car- 
ried self-refutation  to  the  minds  of  many,  their 
very  extravagance  has  presented  a  charm  to 
others. 

Associated  on  the  one  hand  with  a  moneyed 
speculation,  and  on  the  other  with  some  pecu- 
liar notions  of  religion  which  had  been  before 
assiduously  propagated,  and  which  were  already 
popular  in  some  parts  of  the  country,  these  ex- 
travagances did  not  fail  to  attract  admirers. 
Minds  already  settled  in  the  principles  of  truth, 
or  expanding  in  the  higher  pursuits  of  know- 
ledge, found  it  an  unwelcome  task  to  investi- 
gate gravely  such  a  subject,  and  little  appre- 
hended what  would  grow  out  of  it.  Thus 
neglected  by  some,  and  despised  by  others, 
Mormonism  grew  up  by  degrees,  shaping  its 
character  to  suit  the  times.  It  first  spread 
among  those  who  were  sufficiently  weak  to  be 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      13 

gulled  into  a  belief  of  its  absurdities.  It  soon 
had  an  equal  currency  among  those  who  were 
either  so  unfortunate  or  so  unprincipled  as  to 
find  it  for  their  interest  to  follow  its  leaders,  or 
join  its  abettors. 

Persecution  at  length  arose.  Sympathy 
added  to  the  number  of  the  persecuted.  The 
claims  of  their  cause  in  the  light  of  natural  and 
civil  justice  induced  many  to  think  there  might 
be  similar  grounds  for  their  pretensions  to  reli- 
gious orthodoxy. 

From  these,  and  other  causes  that  will  be 
hereafter  indicated,  we  find  that  after  the  lapse 
of  ten  years  from  its  origin,  the  devotees  of 
Mormonism  are  not  numbered  by  scores  or  by 
hundreds,  but  by  thousands.  It  is  still  on  the 
increase.  Its  emissaries,  with  a  zeal  worthy  of 
a  better  cause,  have  not  been  content  with  go- 
ing through  the  length  and  breadth  of  our  own 
land,  they  have  crossed  the  Atlantic,  and  from 
the  subjects  furnished  by  certain  classes  of  so- 
ciety in  the  old  world,  they  are  pouring  in  their 
proselytes  among  us  by  the  ship  load. 

Gladly  would  we  have  been  excused  from 
the  task  of  examining  the  claims  of  Mormon- 
ism  and  the  Mormons,  did  not  a  regard  for  truth, 
together  with  the  dictates  of  conscience,  urge 
us  to  undertake  it. 

Justice  to  the  world  and  to  posterity  calls 
upon  Americans  of  the  present  generation  to 
record  facts  connected  with  this  subject  which 
are  now  and  here  notorious,  but  which  perhaps 
are  unknown  abroad,  and  which  ere  long  might 


14      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

become  questionable  by  confused  tradition,  and 
eventually  lost  in  the  oblivion  of  time.  Con- 
science, moreover,  adjures  us  to  repel  the  pre- 
sumption by  which  the  evidences  of  Mormonism 
have  been  asserted  to  compare  with  those  of 
Christianity.  On  the  ground  of  this  presump- 
tion, the  Mormon  teacher  already  assumes  to 
place  himself  on  a  level  with  the  evangelists  and 
the  apostles  in  the  propagation  of  his  sect.  The 
avowed  infidel  wields  the  same  presumption 
with  an  equal  zest  in  his  attempted  subversion 
of  all  revealed  truth.  There  are  strong  grounds 
of  probability  that  a  disposition  to  sport  with 
the  credulity  of  mankind,  and  thus  to  make 
capital  for  skepticism,  not  only  laid  the  corner- 
stone of  Mormonism,  but  has  planned  and  car- 
ried up  the  whole  superstructure.  Certain  it 
is,  that  no  scheme  could  have  been  devised  for 
that  purpose  with  the  hope  of  producing  more 
fruitful  results. 

In  the  progress  of  the  present  work  we  shall 
be  obliged  to  unmask  deception,  and  to  place 
before  the  world  the  principal  agents  of  this 
imposture  in  their  true  and  attested  character  ; 
yet  we  hope  to  do  it  in  fairness  and  candour,  so 
that  could  we  gain  the  attention  of  any  individ- 
uals exposed  or  already  subject  to  the  mental 
and  spiritual  contamination  of  which  there  have 
been  such  unhappy  examples,  we  trust  they 
may  here  find  an  antidote.  At  the  same  time, 
appealing  to  reason,  to  justice,  and  to  the  rights 
of  man,  we  hope  to  rebuke  that  spirit  of  anar- 
chy and  intolerance  which  thinks  to  smother 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      15 

investigation  on  any  subject,  or  to  crush  down 
even  error  itself,  by  means  of  oppression. 

The  Mormon,  however  mistaken  in  any  of 
his  views,  is  none  the  less  a  citizen.  While 
he  therefore,  in  common  with  all  others,  is 
amenable  to  the  laws  of  his  country,  he  deserves 
equally  with  them  to  be  maintained  in  the  ex- 
ercise of  all  his  rights,  by  the  supremacy  of  the 
laws,  and  the  integrity  of  that  country.  Nor 
can  those  rights  be  infringed  upon  with  impu- 
nity. Aggression  is  sure  to  beget  retaliation ; 
and  when  once  the  restraints  of  law  have  been 
broken  over,  especially  by  a  community,  where 
can  we  expect  the  torrent  of  evil  consequences 
to  be  stayed  ?  The  aggressor  of  to-day  may  be 
the  victim  to-morrow,  and  thus  onward  till  the 
nation  is  plunged  in  a  civil  war  of  extermination. 
While  then  we  have  much  to  lay  to  the  charge 
of  those  whom  we  believe  to  be  the  authors  of 
a  scheme  of  vile  deception,  we  by  no  means 
hold  guiltless  those  who,  by  injudicious  and 
illegal  opposition,  have  done  more  to  advance 
that  very  scheme,  and  multiply  its  deluded  vic- 
tims, than  could  ever  have  been  done  by  its 
original  contrivers,  had  they  been  left  to  them- 
selves. 

Nor  is  it  merely  in  view  of  the  past  that  we 
record  these  sentiments.  The  numbers  attach- 
ed to  the  Mormon  community,  and  their  pecu- 
liar policy  toward  those  without  its  pale,  give 
cause  of  apprehension  for  the  future.  It  is  ex- 
ceedingly important,  therefore,  that  the  inhabit- 
ants of  this  country,  and  of  our  great  west 


16      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS 

especially,  should  fully  understand  this  subject, 
and  their  duty  with  respect  to  it.  Patience 
under  any  aggravations  will  be  the  mark  of  dis- 
cretion. Truth  and  reason  are  the  only  wea- 
pons they  can  use  with  safety  either  in  attack 
or  defence.  Let  knowledge  and  piety  be  dif- 
fused— let  the  pure  principles  of  the  gospel  be 
disseminated  and  practised,  and  there  will  be 
nothing  to  fear.  But  in  the  absence  of  these, 
there  will  be  no  barrier  against  the  giant  strides 
of  fanaticism,  and  no  restraint  upon  the  extra- 
vagances of  human  passion  and  folly. 

A  strong  presumption  in  favour  of  the  truth 
of  Scripture  history  arises  from  the  fact  that 
when  it  was  published  to  the  world  no  part  of 
it  was  contradicted.  Although  numbers  refused 
their  assent  to  the  doctrines  of  Christianity,  and 
were  interested  to  oppose  them,  yet  there  has 
come  down  to  us  no  contemporaneous  denial  of 
its  premises,  no  exposition  of  the  deceptions  on 
which  it  was  based,  if  such  existed. 

Such  a  presumption  in  favour  of  Mormonism 
is  wholly  destroyed  by  the  existence  of  two  of 
the  works,  whose  titles  are  given  in  the  pre- 
face. Howe's  History  of  Mormonism,  on  ex- 
amination, appears  to  be  what  its  title  indicates, 
"  a  faithful  account  of  that  singular  imposition 
and  delusion"  during  the  first  years  of  its  rise 
Its  author  did  not  content  himself  with  record- 
ing facts  merely  upon  the  strength  of  publii 
notoriety,  but  in  every  practicable  instance  hi 
has  collected  the  concurrent  and  certified  tes 
timony  of  living  witnesses.  He  has  imbodiei 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.       17 

the  depositions  and  certificates  of  a  large  num- 
ber of  respectable  citizens  in  western  New- 
York,  Pennsylvania,  and  Ohio,  respecting  the 
pretended  discovery,  translation,  and  publica- 
tion of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  and  also  respect- 
ing the  character  of  those  engaged  in  the  affair. 
Whatever  may  have  been  the  success  of  this 
work  on  its  publication,  the  author  will  not  fail 
to  realize  a  rich  reward  in  the  approbation  of 
all  who  become  acquainted  with  his  industry, 
and  especially  in  the  gratitude  of  coming  gene- 
rations, should  they  be  so  unfortunate  as  to  need 
demonstrative  arguments  in  refutation  of  the 
system  of  imposture,  whose  origin  he  has  de- 
lineated. 

CorrilPs  "  Brief  History"  comes  from  an- 
other, and  a  very  different  source.  Its  author 
was  for  several  years  a  member  and  an  elder 
of  the  Mormon  church.  He  explains  the  pro- 
cess by  which  he  became  such,  and  the  reasons 
why  he  continued  so  long  an  adherent  to  prac- 
tices which  his  good  sense  and  better  feelings 
condemned.  He  also  testifies  to  the  incredible 
inconsistencies  which  at  length  drove  him  to 
the  extremity  of  casting  off  his  allegiance  to  a 
false  prophet.  His  work  is  by  no  means  full 
and  explicit,  and  insomuch  fails  to  be  satisfac- 
tory. Nevertheless,  in  several  respects,  it  is 
valuable.  It  was  manifestly  an  object  for  the 
author,  in  justification  of  himself,  to  state  the 
very  best  arguments  that  exist  in  favour  of  Mor- 
monism — such  as  had  been  successful  with 
himself,  and  with  those  among  whom  he  had 
2 


18      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

been  able  to  propagate  the  system  ;  and  we  are 
disposed  to  pardon  the  generality  of  his  re 
marks,  and  the  reserve  in  his  statements,  when 
we  consider  that  to  have  divulged  more  would 
have  seemed  like  bearing  witness  against  him- 
self, and  glorying  in  his  own  shame.  Query. 
Why  were  not  some  of  the  elders  of  Israel,  or 
of  the  apostolic  church,  at  least  as  honest  as 
this  man,  so  that  if,  in  the  course  of  long  and 
painful  experience,  they  became  convinced  of 
their  delusion,  they  would,  like  him,  have  con- 
fessed it,  arid  thus  set  up  a  waymark  for  their 
countrymen  and  their  children  in  coming  days  ? 

These  works  correspond  in  all  the  important 
particulars  which  they  both  contain,  and  from 
them  will  be  abridged  the  facts  which  imme- 
diately follow. 

In  the  year  1827  it  began  to  be  rumoured 
that  a  "  Golden  Bible,"  or,  in  other  words,  a 
new  revelation,  recorded  upon  plates  of  gold, 
had  been  found  in  Ontario  county,  New-York, 
by  one  Joseph  Smith. 

In  the  year  1830  a  publication  made  its  ap- 
pearance, entitled,  "  The  Book  of  Mormon," 
purporting  to  be  a  translation  of  said  record. 
Upon  the  divine  authenticity  of  that  book,  upon 
its  asserted  miraculous  preservation  "  in  the 
bowels  of  the  earth,"  and  upon  its  equally  mi- 
raculous discovery  and  translation,  are  predi- 
cated both  the  truth  and  the  consistency  of  the 
whole  system  we  are  now  discussing.  It  con- 
sequently becomes  us  to  collect  whatever  light 
may  be  thrown  upon  the  origin  of  so  unusual  a 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.       19 

publication.  Upon  the  Book  of  Mormon  rests 
the  whole  fabric  of  Mormonism  :  let  us  exa- 
mine whether  it  be  not  a  sandy  foundation. 
That  was  the  starting  point  of  the  whole  pro- 
phetic race  :  let  us  see  whether  it  is  from 
above  or  below.  That  is  the  fountain  which  has 
sent  forth  the  whole  flood  of  blessings  or  of 
curses  attributable  to  this  system  :  let  us  prove 
whether  its  waters  are  sweet  or  bitter. 


CHAPTER  II 

Character  of  inspired  men — Vicious  habits  of  the  Smiths 
— Cupidity  of  Harris — A  chance  lie — Contradictions  in 
maintaining  it — A  speculation  contrived — Money-digging 
on  the  Susquehannah — A  runaway  match — Shocking  des- 
titution of  moral  principle. 

WE  will  indulge  for  a  moment  the  hypothe- 
sis that  for  wise  and  worthy  reasons  God  did 
see  proper  then  and  there  to  make  a  revelation 
to  the  human  family.  It  next  becomes  import- 
ant to  inquire  who  are  the  chosen  vessels  by 
whom  the  Almighty  condescended  to  dispense 
such  grace  to  the  world.  From  what  we  know 
of  the  former-day  saints  and  prophets,  men  "  of 
whom  the  world  was  not  worthy,"  we  should 
expect  if  there  were  any  righteous  upon  earth — 
any  full  of  faith  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost — any  who 
were  watching  with  prayers  and  tears  for  the 
coming  of  the  Lord,  that  the  election  would  be 
made  from  among  them.  If  this  could  not  be 
sos  we  should  at  least  look  for  the  chosen  ones 


20      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

among  the  members  of  moral  and  respectable 
society.  Both  these  expectations  are  doomed 
to  disappointment  by  the  facts  in  the  case 
Here  is  the  testimony. 

"Manchester,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  F.,  Nov.  3,  1833. 
"  We,  the  undersigned,  being  personally  ac 
quainted  with  the  family  of  Joseph  Smith,  Sen. 
with  whom  the   Gold  Bible,  so  called,   origi 
nated,  state  that  they  were  not  only  a  lazy,  in- 
dolent set  of  men,  but  also  intemperate,  and 
their  word  was  not  to  be  depended  upon,  and 
that  we  are  truly  glad  to  dispense  with  their 
society. 

PARDON  BUTTS,  WARDEN  A.  REED, 

HIRAM  SMITH,  ALFRED  STAFFORD, 

JAMES  GEE,  ABEL  CHASE, 

A.  H.  WENTWORTH,    MOSES  C.  SMITH, 
JOSEPH  FISH,  HORACE  N.  BARNES, 

SYLVESTER  WORDEN." 

"  Palmyra,  Dec.  4,  1833. 

"  We,  the  undersigned,  have  been  acquainted  with 
the  Smith  family  for  a  number  of  years,  while  they 
resided  near  this  place,  and  we  have  no  hesitation  in 
saying,  that  we  consider  them  destitute  of  that  moral 
character  which  ought  to  entitle  them  to  the  confi- 
dence of  any  community.  They  were  particularly 
famous  for  visionary  projects,  spent  much  of  their 
time  in  digging  for  money  which  they  pretended  was 
hid  in  the  earth ;  and,  to  this  day,  large  excavations 
may  be  seen  in  the  earth,  not  far  from  their  resi- 
dence, where  they  used  to  spend  their  time  in  dig- 
ging for  hidden  treasures.  Joseph  Smith,  Senior,  and 
his  son  Joseph,  were,  in  particular,  considered  en- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      21 

tirely  destitute  of  moral  character,  and  addicted  to 
vicious  habits. 

"  Martin  Harris  was  a  man  who  had  acquired  a 
handsome  property,  and  in  matters  of  business  his 
word  was  considered  good  ;  but  on  moral  and  reli- 
gious subjects  he  was  perfectly  visionary — sometimes 
advocating  one  sentiment,  and  sometimes  another. 
And  in  reference  to  all  with  whom  we  were  acquaint- 
ed, that  have  embraced  Mormonism  from  this  neigh- 
bourhood, we  are  compelled  to  say,  were  very  vision- 
ary, and  most  of  them  destitute  of  moral  character, 
and  without  influence  in  this  community ;  and  this 
may  account  why  they  were  permitted  to  go  on  with 
their  impositions  undisturbed.  It  was  not  supposed 
that  any  of  them  were  possessed  of  sufficient  charac- 
ter or  influence  to  make  any  one  believe  their  book 
or  their  sentiments,  and  we  know  not  of  a  single  in- 
dividual in  this  vicinity  that  puts  the  least  confidence 
in  their  pretended  revelations. 

"  George  N.  Williams,  Clark  Robinson,  Lemuel 
Durfee,  E.  S.  Townsend,  Henry  P.  Alger,  C.  E. 
Thayer,  G.  W.  Anderson,  H.  P.  Thayer,  L.  Wil- 
liams, George  W.  Crosby,  Levi,  Thayer,  R.  S.  Wil- 
liams, P.  Sexton,  M.  Butterfield,  S.  P.  Seymour, 
D.  S.  Jackways,  John  Hurlbut,  H.  Linnell,  James 
Jenner,  S.  Ackley,  Josiah  Rice,  Jesse  Townsend, 
Richard  D.  Clark,  Th.  P.  Baldwin,  John  Sothing- 
ton,  Durfey  Chase,  Wells  Anderson,  N.  H.  Beck- 
with,  Philo  Durfee,  Giles  S.  Ely,  R.  W.  Smith, 
Pelatiah  West,  Henry  Jessup,  Linus  North,  Thomas 
Rogers,  2d,  Wm.  Parke,  Josiah  Francis,  Amos  Hoi- 
lister,  G.  A.  Hathaway,  David  G.  Ely,  H.  K.  Je- 
rome, G.  Beckwith,  Lewis  Foster,  Hiram  Payne, 
P.  Grandin,  L.  Hurd,  Joel  Thayer,  E.  D.  Robinson, 
Asahel  Millard,  A.  Ensworth,  Israel  F.  Chilson." 

After  these  statements,  certified  by  sixty-two 
men  of  character  and  standing,  who  may  be 


22     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

considered  as  representing  the  entire  commu- 
nity in  which  this  affair  took  its  origin,  we  may 
safely  regard  the  character  of  the  persons  whc 
"  got  up"  the  Book  of  Mormon  as  established  ; 
at  least  up  to  the  period  when  that  work  was 
published. 

Martin  Harris,  above  and  hereafter  referred 
to,  was  second  in  importance  only  to  Smith. 
Indeed,  had  it  not  been  for  his  money,  which 
he  supposed  profitably  invested,  there  is  no 
probability  that  the  miraculous  book  would  have 
ever  been  published.  Thus  the  discovery  and 
translation  of  the  record  would  have  been 
equally  vain. 

It  will  now  be  curious  to  observe  several 
particulars  which  are  vouched  for  by  the  regu- 
larly-sworn affidavits  of  different  individuals. 

1.  When  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  first  pretended 
to  have  found  a  Golden  Bible,  it  was  merely  in 
jest,  not  expecting  that  any  would  be  simple 
enough  to  .believe  him.  Peter  Ingersol,  his 
neighbour  and  confidential  friend,  thus  testi- 
fies : — 

"  One  day  he  came  and  greeted  me  with  a  joyful 
countenance. — Upon  asking  the  cause  of  his  unusual 
happiness,  he  replied  in  the  following  language  : — 
'  As  I  was  passing,  yesterday,  across  the  woods,  after 
a  neavy  shower  of  rain,  I  found,  in  a  hollow,  some 
beautiful  white  sand,  that  had  been  washed  up  by  the 
water.  I  took  off  my  frock,  and  tied  up  several 
quarts  of  it,  and  then  went  home.  On  my  entering 
the  house,  I  found  the  family  at  the  table  eating  din- 
ner. They  were  all  anxious  to  know  the  contents 
of  my  frock.  At  that  moment  I  happened  to  think 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     23 

of  what  I  had  heard  about  a  history  found  in  Canada, 
called  the  Golden  Bible  ;  so  I  very  gravely  told  them 
it  was  the  Golden  Bible.  To  my  surprise,  they  were 
credulous  enough  to  believe  what  I  said.  Accord- 
ingly, I  told  them  that  I  had  received  a  command- 
ment to  let  no  one  see  it,  for,  says  I,  no  man  can  see 
it  with  the  naked  eye  and  live.  However,  I  offered 
to  take  out  the  book  and  show  it  to  them,  but  they 
refused  to  see  it,  and  left  the  room.'  '  Now,'  said 
Jo,  '  I  have  got  the  damned  fools  fixed,  and  will  car- 
ry out  the  fun.'  Notwithstanding,  he  told  me  he  had 
no  such  book,  and  believed  there  never  was  any  such 
book,  yet  he  told  me  that  he  actually  went  to  Willard 
Chase,  to  get  him  to  make  a  chest,  in  which  he  might 
deposit  his  Golden  Bible.  But,  as  Chase  would  not 
do  it,  he  made  a  box  himself,  of  clap-boards,  and  put 
it  into  a  pillow-case,  and  allowed  people  only  to  lift 
it,  and  feel  of  it  through  the  case." 

2.  As  is  usual,  in  such  cases  of  fibbing,  his 
stories  were  contradictory.  Here  is  part  of  the 
testimony  of  Willard  Chase. 

"  In  the  fore  part  of  September,  (I  believe,)  1827, 
the  prophet  requested  me  to  make  him  a  chest,  in- 
forming me  that  he  designed  to  move  back  to  Penn- 
sylvania, and  expecting  soon  to  get  his  gold  book,  he 
wanted  a  chest  to  lock  it  up,  giving  me  to  understand, 
at  the  same  time,  that  if  I  would  make  the  chest  he 
would  give  me  a  share  in  the  book.  I  told  him  my 
business  was  such  that  I  could  not  make  it :  but  if 
he  would  bring  the  book  to  me,  I  would  lock  it  up 
for  him.  He  said  that  would  not  do,  as  he  was  com- 
manded to  keep  it  two  years,  without  letting  it  come 
to  the  eye  of  any  one  but  himself.  This  command- 
ment, however,  he  did  not  keep,  for  in  less  than  two 
years  twelve  men  said  they  had  seen  it.  I  told 
him  to  get  it  and  convince  me  of  its  existence,  and  I 


24      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

would  make  him  a  chest ;  but  he  said  that  would  not 
do,  as  he  must  have  a  chest  to  lock  the  book  in,  as 
soon  as  he  took  it  out  of  the  ground.  I  saw  him  a 
few  days  after,  when  he  told  me  that  I  must  make 
the  chest.  I  told  him  plainly  that  I  could  not,  upon 
which  he  told  me  that  I  could  have  no  share  in  the 
book. 

"  A  few  weeks  after  this  conversation,  he  came  to 
my  house,  and  related  the  following  story  : — That 
on  the  22d  of  September  he  arose  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  took  a  one-horse  wagon,  of  some  one  that 
had  stayed  over  night  at  their  house,  without  leave 
or  license  ;  and,  together  with  his  wife,  repaired  to 
the  hill  which  contained  the  book.  He  left  his  wife 
in  the  wagon,  by  the  road,  and  went  alone  to  the  hill, 
a  distance  of  thirty  or  forty  rods  from  the  road  ;  he 
said  he  then  took  the  book  out  of  the  ground  and  hid 
it  in  a  tree-top,  and  returned  home.  He  then  went 
to  the  town  of  Macedon  to  work.  After  about  ten 
days,  it  having  been  suggested  that  some  one  had  got 
his  book,  his  wife  went  after  him  ;  he  hired  a  horse, 
and  went  home  in  the  afternoon,  stayed  long  enough  to 
drink  one  cup  of  tea,  and  then  went  for  his  book, 
found  it  safe,  took  off  his  frock,  wrapt  it  round  it, 
put  it  under  his  arm,  and  run  all  the  way  home,  a  dis- 
tance of  about  two  miles.  He  said  he  should  think 
it  would  weigh  sixty  pounds,  and  was  sure  it  would 
weigh  forty.  On  his  return  home  he  said  he  was 
attacked  by  two  men  in  the  woods,  and  knocked  them 
both  down  and  made  his  escape,  arrived  safe,  and  se- 
cured his  treasure. — He  then  observed  that  if  it  had 
not  been  for  that  stone,  (which  he  acknowledged  be- 
longed to  me,)  he  would  not  have  obtained  the 
book.  A  few  days  afterward,  he  told  one  of  my 
neighbours  that  he  had  not  got  any  such  book,  and 
never  had;  but  that  he  had  told  the  story  to  de- 
ceive the  d d  fool,  (meaning  me.)  to  get  him  to 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      25 

make  a  chest.  His  neighbours  having  become  dis- 
gusted with  his  foolish  stories,  he  determined  to  go 
back  to  Pennsylvania,  to  avoid  what  he  called  perse- 
cution. His  wits  were  now  put  to  the  task  to  con- 
trive how  he  should  get  money  to  bear  his  expenses. 
He  met  one  day,  in  the  streets  of  Palmyra,  a  rich 
man,  whose  name  was  Martin  Harris,  and  addressed 
him  thus: — 'I  have  a  commandment  from  God  to 
ask  the  first  man  I  meet  in  the  street  to  give  me  fifty 
dollars,  to  assist  me  in  doing  the  work  of  the  Lord, 
by  translating  the  Golden  Bible.'  Martin  being  na- 
turally a  credulous  man,  handed  Joseph  the  money. 
In  the  spring,  1829,  Harris  went  to  Pennsylvania, 
and  on  his  return  to  Palmyra,  reported  that  the  pro- 
phet's wife,  in  the  month  of  June  following,  would  be 
delivered  of  a  male  child  that  would  be  able,  when 
two  years  old,  to  translate  the  Gold  Bible.  Then, 
said  he,  you  will  see  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  walking 
through  the  streets  of  Palmyra,  with  a  Gold  Bible 
under  his  arm,  and  having  a  gold  breast-plate  on,  and 
a  gold  sword  hanging  by  his  side.  This,  however, 
by  the  by,  proved  false. 

"  In  April,  1830,  I  again  asked  Hiram  for  the 
stone  which  he  had  borrowed  of  me  ;  he  told  me  I 
should  not  have  it,  for  Joseph  made  use  of  it  in  trans- 
lating his  Bible.  I  reminded  him  of  his  promise,  and 
that  he  had  pledged  his  honour  to  return  it ;  but  he 
gave  me  the  lie,  saying  the  stone  was  not  mine,  nor 
never  was.  Harris  at  the  same  time  flew  in  a  rage, 
took  me  by  the  collar  and  said  I  was  a  liar,  and  he 
could  prove  it  by  twelve  witnesses.  After  I  had 
extricated  myself  from  him,  Hiram,  in  a  rage,  shook 
his  fist  at  me,  and  abused  me  in  a  most  scandalous 
manner.  Thus  I  might  proceed  in  describing  the 
character  of  these  high  priests,  by  relating  one  trans- 
action after  another,  which  would  all  tend  to  set  them 
in  the  same  light  in  which  they  were  regarded  by 


26      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

their  neighbours,  viz.,  as  a  pest  to  society.  I  have 
regarded  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  from  the  time  I  first  be- 
came acquainted  with  him  until  he  left  this  part  of  the 
country,  as  a  man  whose  word  could  not  be  depend- 
ed upon.  Hiram's  character  was  but  very  little  bet- 
ter. What  I  have  said  respecting  the  characters  of 
these  men  will  apply  to  the  whole  family.  What  I 
have  stated  relative  to  the  characters  of  these  indi- 
viduals, thus  far,  is  wholly  true.  After  they  became 
thorough  Mormons,  their  conduct  was  more  disgrace- 
ful than  before.  They  did  not  hesitate  to  abuse  any 
man,  no  matter  how  fair  his  character,  provided  he 
did  not  embrace  their  creed.  Their  tongues  were 
continually  employed  in  spreading  scandal  and  abuse. 
Although  they  left  this  part  of  the  country  without 
paying  their  just  debts,  yet  their  creditors  were  glad 
to  have  them  do  so,  rather  than  to  have  them  stay, 
disturbing  the  neighbourhood. 

"  Signed,  WILLARD  CHASE. 

"  On  the  llth  of  December,  1833,  the  said  Wil- 
lard  Chase  appeared  before  me,  and  made  oath  that 
the  foregoing  statement,  to  which  he  has  subscribed 
his  name,  is  true,  according  to  his  best  recollection 
and  belief.  FREDERICK  SMITH, 

"  Justice  of  the  peace  of  Wayne  county. 

11  Parley  Chase  affirms  as  follows  : — *  I  was  ac- 
quainted with  the  family  of  Joseph  Smith,  Sen.,  both 
before  and  since  they  became  Mormons,  and  feel  free 
to  state  that  not  one  of  the  male  members  of  the 
Smith  family  were  entitled  to  any  credit  whatsoever. 
They  were  lazy,  intemperate,  and  worthless  men, — 
very  much  addicted  to  lying.  In  this  they  frequently 
boasted  of  their  skill.  Digging  for  money  was  their 
principal  employment.  In  regard  to  their  Gold  Bible 
speculation,  they  scarcely  ever  told  two  stories  alike." 

3    Finding  some  persons  credulous  enough 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      27 

to  receive  his  tales  for  truth,  a  moneyed  specula- 
tion was  planned.  The  following  is  a  part  of 
Henry  Harris's  affidavit : — 

"  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  the  pretended  prophet,  used 
to  pretend  to  tell  fortunes  ;  he  had  a  stone  which  he 
used  to  put  in  his  hat,  by  means  of  which  he  pro- 
fessed to  tell  people's  fortunes. 

"  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  Martin  Harris,  and  others, 
used  to  meet  together  in  private,  a  while  before  the 
gold  plates  were  found,  and  were  familiarly  known 
by  the  name  of  the  *  Gold  Bible  Company.'  They 
were  regarded  by  the  community  in  which  they  lived 
as  a  lying  and  indolent  set  of  men,  and  no  confidence 
could  be  placed  in  them. 

"  The  character  of  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  for  truth  and 
veracity  was  such,  that  I  would  not  believe  him  un- 
der oath.  I  was  once  on  a  jury  before  a  justice's 
court,  and  the  jury  could  not,  and  did  not  believe  his 
testimony  to  be  true.  After  he  pretended  to  have 
found  the  gold  plates,  I  had  a  conversation  with  him, 
and  asked  him  where  he  found  them,  and  how  he 
came  to  know  where  they  were.  He  said  he  had  a 
revelation  from  God  that  told  him  they  were  hid  in 
a  certain  hill,  and  he  looked  in  his  stone  and  saw  them 
in  the  place  of  deposite  ;  that  an  angel  appeared,  and 
told  him  he  could  not  get  the  plates  until  he  was 
married,  and  that  when  he  saw  the  woman  that  was 
to  be  his  wife,  he  should  know  her,  and  she  would 
know  him.  He  then  went  to  Pennsylvania,  got  his 
wife,  and  they  both  went  together  and  got  the  gold 
plates — he  said  it  was  revealed  to  him  that  no  one 
must  see  the  plates  but  himself  and  wife. 

"  I  then  asked  him  what  letters  were  engraved  on 
them  ;  he  said  italic  letters,  written  in  an  unknown* 

*  He  now  says  Hebrew  and  Egyptian.  Italic  letters  in 
Hebrew ! 


28      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

language,  and  that  he  had  copied  some  of  the  words 
and  sent  them  to  Dr.  Mitchell  and  Professor  Anthon 
of  New- York.  By  looking  on  the  plates  he  said  he 
could  not  understand  the  words,  but  it  was  made 
known  to  him  that  he  was  the  person  that  must  trans- 
late them,  and  on  looking  through  the  stone  was  ena- 
bled to  translate. 

"  After  the  book  was  published,  I  frequently  ban- 
tered him  for  a  copy.  He  asked  fourteen  shillings 
a  piece  for  them  :  I  told  him  I  would  not  give  so 
much  :  he  told  me  he  had  had  a  revelation  that  they 
must  be  sold  at  that  price. 

"  Some  time  afterward  I  talked  with  Martin  Har- 
ris about  buying  one  of  the  books,  and  he  told  me 
they  had  had  a  new  revelation,  that  they  might  be 
sold  at  ten  shillings  a  piece." 

Abigail  Harris  has  made  the  following  affirm- 
ation, which  is  sustained  by  a  similar  one  from 
Lucy,  the  wife  of  Martin  Harris. 

"  Palmyra,  Wayne  Co.,  N.  F.,  llth  mo.  28/A,  1833. 

"In  the  early  part  of  the  winter  in  1828,  I  made  a 
visit  to  Martin  Harris's,  and  was  joined  in  company 
by  Joseph  Smith,  Sen.,  and  his  wife.  The  Gold 
Bible  business,  so  called,  was  the  topic  of  conversa 
tion,  to  which  I  paid  particular  attention,  that  I  might 
learn  the  truth  of  the  whole  matter.  They  told  me 
that  the  report  that  Joseph,  Jr.,  had  found  golden 
plates  was  true,  and  that  he  was  in  Harmony,  Pa., 
translating  them.  The  old  lady  said,  also,  that  after 
the  book  was  translated,  the  plates  were  to  be  pub- 
licly exhibited — admittance  twenty-five  cents.  She 
calculated  it  would  bring  in  annually  an  enormous 
sum  of  money — that  money  would  then  be  very  plen- 
ty, and  the  book  would  also  sell  for  a  great  price,  as 
it  was  something  entirely  new — that  they  had  been 
commanded  to  obtain  all  the  money  they  could  bor- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      29 

row  for  present  necessity,  and  to  repay  with  gold. 
The  remainder  was  to  be  kept  in  store  for  the  bene- 
fit of  their  family  and  children.  This  and  the  like 
conversation  detained  me  till  about  11  o'clock.  Early 
the  next  morning,  the  mystery  of  the  Spirit 
(being  myself  one  of  the  order  called  Friends)  was  re- 
vealed by  the  following  circumstance  : — The  old  lady 
took  me  into  another  room,  and  after  closing  the  door, 
she  said,  '  Have  you  four  or  five  dollars  in  money 
that  you  can  lend  until  our  business  is  brought  to  a 
close  ?  the  Spirit  has  said  you  shall  receive  four-fold.' 
I  told  her  that  when  I  gave,  I  did  it  not  expecting  to 
receive  again  :  as  for  money,  I  had  none  to  lend.  I 
then  asked  her  what  her  particular  want  of  money 
was ;  to  which  she  replied,  '  Joseph  wants  to  take 
the  stage  and  come  home  from  Pennsylvania  to  see 
what  we  are  all  about.'  To  which  I  replied,  he 
might  look  in  his  stone  and  save  his  time  and  mo- 
ney. The  old  lady  seemed  confused,  and  left  the 
room,  and  thus  ended  the  visit. 

"  In  the  second  month  following,  Martin  Harris 
and  his  wife  were  at  my  house.  In  conversation 
about  Mormonites,  she  observed,  that  she  wished  her 
husband  would  quit  them,  as  she  believed  it  was  all 
false  and  a  delusion.  To  which  I  heard  Mr.  Harris 
reply,  '  What  if  it  is  a  lie;  if  you  will  let  me  alone 
I  will  make  money  out  of  it  /'  I  was  both  an  eye  and 
an  ear  witness  of  what  has  been  stated  above,  which  is 
now  fresh  in  my  memory,  and  I  give  it  to  the  world 
for  the  good  of  mankind.  I  speak  the  truth  and  lie 
not,  God  bearing  me  witness. 

"ABIGAIL  HARRIS." 

Joseph  Capron,  after  detailing  sundry  necro- 
mantic exploits  of  our  hero,  adds, — 

"At  length  Joseph  pretended  to  find  the  gold 
plates.  This  scheme,  he  believed,  would  relieve  the 


30      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

family  from  all  pecuniary  embarrassment.  His  fa- 
ther told  me,  that  when  the  book  was  published,  they 
would  be  enabled,  from  the  profits  of  the  work,  to 
carry  into  successful  operation  the  money-digging 
business.  He  gave  me  no  intimation,  at  that  time, 
that  the  book  was  to  be  of  a  religious  character,  or 
that  it  had  any  thing  to  do  with  revelation.  He  de- 
clared it  to  be  a  speculation,  and,  said  he,  *  when  it 
is  completed,  my  family  will  be  placed  on  a  level 
above  the  generality  of  mankind  !  !'  " 

The  scene  will  now  be  changed  from  the 
state  of  New- York  to  that  of  Pennsylvania, 
where  we  shall  learn  some  further  particulars 
respecting  the  character  and  operations  of  these 
worthies  from  persons  well  qualified  to  judge 
of  both.  Smith's  father-in-law,  Mr.  Hale,  tes- 
tifies to  the  following,  among  other  particulars 

"  Harmony,  Pa.,  March  20*A,  1834. 

"  I  first  became  acquainted  with  Joseph  Smith,  Jr., 
in  November,  1825.  He  was  at  that  time  in  the 
employ  of  a  set  of  men  who  were  called  '  money-dig- 
gers ;'  and  his  occupation  was  that  of  seeing,  or  pre- 
tending to  see  by  means  of  a  stone  placed  in  his  hat, 
and  his  hat  closed  over  his  face.  In  this  way  he  pre- 
tended to  discover  minerals  and  hidden  treasure. 

"  About  this  time,  young  Smith  made  several 
visits  at  my  house,  and  at  length  asked  my  con- 
sent to  his  marrying  my  daughter  Emma.  This  I 
refused,  and  gave  my  reasons  for  so  doing  ;  some  of 
which  were,  that  he  was  a  stranger,  and  followed  a 
business  that  I  could  not  approve  :  he  then  left  the 
place.  Not  long  after  this  he  returned,  and,  while 
I  was  absent  from  home,  carried  off  my  daughter  into 
the  state  of  New- York,  where  they  were  married 
without  my  approbation  or  consent. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      31 

"  Soon  after  this  I  was  informed  they  had  brought 
a  wonderful  book  of  plates  down  with  them.  I  was 
shown  a  box  in  which  it  is  said  they  were  contained, 
which  had,  to  all  appearance,  been  used  as  a  glass  box 
of  the  common  window  glass.  I  was  allowed  to  feel 
the  weight  of  the  box,  and  they  gave  me  to  understand 
that  the  book  of  plates  was  then  in  the  box — into 
which,  however,  I  was  not  allowed  to  look. 

"  I  inquired  of  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  who  was  to  be 
the  first  who  would  be^llowed  to  see  the  book  of 
plates.  He  said  it  was  a  young  child.  After  this  I 
became  dissatisfied,  and  informed  him  that  if  there 
was  any  thing  in  my  house  of  that  description,  which 
I  could  not  be  allowed  to  see,  he  must  take  it  away  ; 
if  he  did  not,  I  was  determined  to  see  it.  After  that 
the  ^plates  were  said  to  be  hid  in  the  woods. 

"  About  this  time  Martin  Harris  made  his  appear- 
ance upon  the  stage  ;  and  Smith  began  to  interpret 
the  characters,  or  hieroglyphics  which  he  said  were 
engraven  upon  the  plates,  while  Harris  wrote  down 
the  interpretation.  It  was  said  that  Harris  wrote 
down  one  hundred  and  sixteen  pages,  and  lost  them. 
Soon  after  this  happened,  Martin  Harris  informed 
me  that  he  must  have  a  greater  witness,  and  said  that 
he  had  talked  with  Joseph  about  it — Joseph  informed 
him  that  he  could  not,  or  durst  not  show  him  the 
plates,  but  that  he  (Joseph)  would  go  into  the  woods 
where  the  book  of  plates  was,  and  that  after  he  came 
back  Harris  should  follow  his  track  in  the  snow,  and 
find  the  book,  and  examine  it  for  himself.  Harris 
informed  me  that  he  followed  Smith's  directions,  and 
could  not  find  the  plates,  and  was  still  dissatisfied. 

"  The  next  day  after  this  happened,  I  went  to  the 
house  where  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  lived,  and  where  he 
and  Harris  were  engaged  in  their  translation  of  the 
book  Each  of  them  had  a  written  piece  of  paper 
which  they  were  c  ^mparing,  and  some  of  the  words 


32      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

were,  '  My  servant  seeketh  a  greater  witness,  but  no 
greater  witness  can  be  given  him."1  There  was  also 
something  said  about  '  three  that  were  to  see  the 
thing"1 — meaning,  I  supposed,  the  book  of  plates,  and 
that  '  if  the  three  did  not  go  exactly  according  to  the 
orders,  the  thing  would  be  taken  from  them.''  I  in- 
quired whose  words  they  were,  and  was  informed  by 
Joseph  or  Emma,  (I  rather  think  it  was  the  former,) 
that  they  were  the  words  of  Jesus  Christ.  I  told  them 
that  I  considered  the  whole  of  it  a  delusion,  and  ad- 
vised them  to  abandon  it.  The  manner  in  which  he 
pretended  to  read  and  interpret,  was  the  same  as  when 
he  looked  for  the  money-diggers,  with  the  stone  in 
his  hat,  and  his  hat  over  his  face,  while  the  book  of 
plates  was  at  the  same  time  hid  in  the  woods. 

"  After  this,  Martin  Harris  went  away,  and  Oliver 
Cowdery  came  and  wrote  for  Smith,  while  he  inter- 
preted, as  above  described.  This  is  the  same  Oliver 
Cowdery,  whose  name  may  be  found  in  the  Book  of 
Mormon.  Cowdery  continued  a  scribe  for  Smith 
until  the  Book  of  Mormon  was  completed,  as  I  sup- 
posed and  understood. 

"  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  resided  near  me  for  some 
time  after  this,  and  I  had  a  good  opportunity  of  be- 
coming acquainted  with  him,  and  somewhat  acquaint- 
ed with  his  associates,  and  I  conscientiously  believe, 
from  the  facts  I  have  detailed,  and  from  many  other 
circumstances,  which  I  do  not  deem  it  necessary  to 
relate,  that  the  whole  '  Book  of  Mormon'  (so  called) 
is  a  silly  fabrication  of  falsehood  and  wickedness,  got 
up  for  speculation,  and  with  a  design  to  dupe  the  cre- 
dulous and  unwary — and  in  order  that  its  fabricators 
may  live  upon  the  spoils  of  those  who  swallow  the 
deception.  ISAAC  HALE. 

"  Affirmed  to  and  subscribed  before  me,  March 
20th,  1834. 

"CHARLES  DIMON,  Justice  of  the  peace. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      33 

"  State  of  Pennsylvania,  Susquehannah  Co.,  ss. 
"We,  the  subscribers,  associate  judges  of  the 
court  of  common  pleas,  in  and  for  said  county,  do 
certify  that  we  have  been  many  years  personally 
acquainted  with  Isaac  Hale,  of  Harmony  township 
in  this  county,  who  has  attested  the  foregoing  state- 
ment ;  and  that  he  is  a  man  of  excellent  moral  cha- 
racter, and  of  undoubted  veracity.  Witness  our 
hands. 

"  WILLIAM  THOMPSON. 
"  DAVIS  DIMICK. 
"March  2lst,  1834. 

"  Rev.  N.  C.  Lewis,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  also  certifies  and  affirms  in  relation  to  Smith 
as  follows  : — 

"  I  have  been  acquainted  with  Joseph  Smith,  Jr., 
for  some  time  :  being  a  relative  of  his  wife,  and  re- 
siding near  him,  I  have  had  frequent  opportunities 
of  conversation  with  him,  and  of  knowing  his  opin- 
ions and  pursuits.  From  my  standing  in  the  Me- 
thodist Episcopal  Church,  I  suppose  he  was  careful 
how  he  conducted  or  expressed  himself  before  me. 
At  one  time,  however,  he  came  to  my  house,  and 
asked  my  advice,  whether  he  should  proceed  to  trans- 
late the  book  of  plates  (referred  to  by  Mr.  Hale)  or 
not.  He  said  that  God  had  commanded  him  to  trans- 
late it,  but  he  was  afraid  of  the  people  :  he  remark- 
ed, that  he  was  to  exhibit  the  plates  to  the  world,  at 
a  certain  time,  which  was  then  about  eighteen  months 
distant.  I  told  him  I  was  not  qualified  to  give  ad- 
vice in  such  cases.  Smith  frequently  said  to  me 
that  I  should  see  the  plates  at  the  time  appointed. 

"  After  the  time  stipulated  had  passed  away,  Smith 
being  at  my  house,  was  asked  why  he  did  not  fulfil 
his  promise,  show  the  golden  plates,  and  prove  him- 
self an  honest  man  ?  He  replied,  that  he,  himself, 
was  deceived,  but  that  I  should  see  them  if  I  were 
3 


•34  MORMONISM  AND    THE  MORMONS. 

where  they  were.  I  reminded  him  then,  that  1 
stated  at  the  time  he  made  the  promise,  I  was  fear- 
ful '  the  enchantment  would  be  so  powerful'  as  to  re- 
move the  plates,  when  the  time  came  in  which  they 
were  to  be  revealed. 

"  These  circumstances,  and  many  others  of  a  simi- 
lar tenor,  embolden  me  to  say,  that  Joseph  Smith, 
Jr.,  is  not  a  man  of  truth  and  veracity  ;  and  that  his 
general  character,  in  this  part  of  the  country,  is  that 
of  an  impostor,  hypocrite,  and  liar. 

"  NATHANIEL  C.  LEWIS. 

"  Affirmed  and  subscribed,  before  me,  March  20th, 
1834. 

"  CHARLES  DIMON,  Justice  of  the  peace" 

Various  other  statements  of  similar  import 
were  collected  in  the  same  vicinity.  We  sub- 
join the  substance  of  three  which  develop 
some  of  the  worst  features  of  human  depravity. 

"  Alva  Hale,  son  of  Isaac  Hale,  states,  that  Joseph 
Smith,  Jr.,  told  him  that  his  (Smith's)  gift  in  seeing 
with  a  stone  and  hat,  '  was  a  gift  from  God,'  but  also 
states  'that  Smith  told  him,  at  another  time,  that  this 

peeping  was  all  d d  nonsense.  He  (Smith)  was 

deceived  himself,  but  did  not  intend  to  deceive  others  ; 
that  he  intended  to  quit  the  business,  (of  peeping,) 
and  labour  for  his  livelihood.'  That  afterward,  Smith 
told  him  he  should  see  the  plates  from  which  he 
translated  the  Book  of  Mormon,  and  accordingly,  at 
the  time  specified  by  Smith,  he  (Hale)  called  to  see 
the  plates,  but  Smith  did  not  show  them,  but  appear- 
ed angry.  He  further  states,  that  he  knows  Joseph 
Smith,  Jr.,  to  be  an  impostor,  and  a  liar,  and  knows 
Martin  Harris  to  be  a  liar  likewise. 

"  Levi  Lewis  states,  that  he  has  been  acquainted 
with  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  and  Martin  Harris,  and  that 
he  has  heard  them  both  say,  adultery  was  no  crime. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     35 

Harris  said  he  did  not  blame  Smith  for  his  (Smith's) 
attempt  to  seduce  E.  W.,  &c.  Mr.  Lewis  says 
that  he  knows  Smith  to  be  a  liar  ; — that  he  saw  him 
(Smith)  intoxicated  at  three  different  times  while  he 
was  composing  the  Book  of  Mormon,  and  also  that 
he  has  heard  Smith,  when  driving  oxen,  use  language 
of  the  greatest  profanity.  Mr.  Lewis  also  testifies, 
that  he  heard  Smith  say  he  (Smith)  was  as  good  as 
Jesus  Christ ; — that  it  was  as  bad  to  injure  him  as  it 
was  to  injure  Jesus  Christ.  With  regard  to  the 
plates,  Smith  said  God  had  deceived  him — which 
was  the  reason  he  (Smith)  did  not  show  them. 

"  Sophia  Lewis  certifies,  that  she  heard  a  conver- 
sation between  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  and  the  Rev. 
James  B.  Roach,  in  which  Smith  called  Mr.  R.  a 

d d  fool.     Smith  also  said,  in  the  same  conver 

sation,  that  he  (Smith)  was  as  good  as  Jesus  Christ , 
and  that  she  has  frequently  heard  Smith  use  profane 
language.  She  states,  that  she  heard  Smith  say  the 
book  of  plates  could  not  be  opened,  under  penalty  of 
death,  by  any  other  person  but  his  (Smith's)  first- 
born, which  was  to  be  a  male.  She  says  she  was 
present  at  the  birth  of  this  child,  and  that  it  was  still- 
born, and  very  much  deformed." 

Such  men,  we  are  told  by  the  Mormons,  were 
divinely  appointed  to  usher  in  the  fulness  of  the 
gospel.  All  who  will  not  believe  this  are  to  be 
denounced  as  children  of  the  devil,  and  heirs 
of  wrath. 


36  MOJIMONISM  AND   THE   MORMONS. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Sidney  Rigdon — Solomon  Spalding — -The  "  Manuscript 
Found"  proved  to  be  identical  with  the  Mormon  Bible — 
Spalding's  widow — Rigdon's  retirement  at  Pittsburgh — • 
His  subsequent  course  in  Ohio. 

LEAVING  the  prophet  and  his  worthy  coad- 
jutors in  their  employment  of  peeping  and  com- 
paring notes  on  the  banks  of  the  Susquehannah, 
we  shall  now  introduce  to  the  reader  an  indi- 
vidual hitherto  behind  the  curtain,  but  who  was 
destined  to  act  a  prominent  part  in  the  farce  of 
Mormonism.  This  is  none  other  than  Sidney 
Rigdon,  known  at  that  time  in  the  northern 
counties  of  Ohio  as  a  Campbelite  preacher  of 
some  distinction,  and  reputed  to  possess  more 
than  ordinary  shrewdness.  By  means  of  this 
latter  trait,  so  much  in  contrast  with  the  gene- 
ral character  of  the  Smiths,  he  was  enabled  to 
keep  his  preliminary  operations  chiefly  in  the 
dark.  Nevertheless,  a  combination  of  circum- 
stances indicates  him  to  have  been  the  prime 
mover  of  the  whole  contrivance,  at  least  as  far 
as  a  religious  imposture  was  concerned. 

The  leading  features  of  what  has  been  pub- 
lished to  the  world,  as  the  Book  of  Mormon, 
were  conceived  and  written  out  as  early  as  the 
year  1810,  or  1811,  by  one  Solomon  Spalding. 
Of  the  last-mentioned  individual  we  have  the 
following  account,  written  by  his  surviving  bro- 
ther, a  resident  of  Crawford  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      37 

"Solomon  Spalding  was  born  in  Ashford,  Conn., 
in  1761,  and  in  early  life  contracted  a  taste  for  lite- 
rary pursuits.  After  he  left  school,  he  entered  Plain- 
field  academy,  where  he  made  great  proficiency  in 
study,  and  excelled  most  of  his  class-mates.  He 
next  commenced  the  study  of  law,  in  Windham 
county,  in  which  he  made  little  progress,  having,  in 
the  mean  time,  turned  his  attention  to  religious  sub- 
jects. He  soon  after  entered  Dartmouth  college, 
with  the  intention  of  qualify  ing  himself  for  the  minis- 
try, where  he  obtained  the  degree  of  A.  M.,  and  was 
afterward  regularly  ordained.  After  preaching  three 
or  four  years,  he  gave  it  up,  removed  to  Cherry  Val- 
ley, New-York,  and  commenced  the  mercantile  bu- 
siness, in  company  with  his  brother  Josiah.  In  a 
few  years  he  failed  in  business,  and  in  the  year  1809 
removed  to  Conneaut,  in  Ohio.  The  year  following 
I  removed  to  Ohio,  and  found  him  engaged  in  build- 
ing a  forge.  I  made  him  a  visit  in  about  three  years 
after,  and  found  that  he  bad  failed,  and  was  considera- 
bly involved  in  debt.  He  then  told  me  he  had  been 
writing  a  book,  which  he  intended  to  have  printed, 
the  avails  of  which  he  thought  would  enable  him  to 
pay  all  his  debts.  The  book  was  entitled,  the  '  Man- 
uscript Found,'  of  which  he  read  to  me  many  pas- 
sages. It  was  an  historical  romance  of  the  first  set- 
tlers of  America, — endeavouring  to  show  that  the 
American  Indians  are  the  descendants  of  the  Jews, 
or  the  lost  tribes.  It  gave  a  detailed  account  of  their 
journey  from  Jerusalem,  by  land  and  sea,  till  they 
arrived  in  America,  under  the  command  of  NEPH] 
and  LEHI.  They  afterward  had  quarrels  and  con- 
tentions, and  separated  into  two  distinct  nations,  one 
of  which  he  denominated  Nephites,  and  the  other 
Lamanites.  Cruel  and  bloody  wars  ensued,  in  which 
great  multitudes  were  slain.  They  buried  their  dead 
in  large  heaps,  which  caused  the  mounds  so  common 


38     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

in  this  country.  Their  arts,  sciences,  and  civiliza- 
tion were  brought  into  view,  in  order  to  account  for 
all  the  curious  antiquities,  found  in  various  parts  of 
North  and  South  America.  I  have  recently  read  the 
Book  of  Mormon,  and,  to  my  great  surprise,  I  find 
nearly  the  same  historical  matter,  names,  &c.,  as 
they  were  in  my  brother's  writings.  I  well  remem- 
ber that  he  wrote  in  the  old  style,  and  commenced 
about  every  sentence  with,  '  And  it  came  to  pass,'  or, 
'  Now  it  came  to  pass,'  the  same  as  in  the  Book  of 
Mormon,  and,  according  to  the  best  of  my  recollec- 
tion and  belief,  it  is  the  same  as  my  brother  Solomon 
wrote,  with  the  exception  of  the  religious  matter. — 
By  what  means  it  has  fallen  into  the  hands  of  Joseph 
Smith,  Jr.,  I  am  unable  to  determine. 

"  JOHN  SPALDING. 

"  Martha  Spalding,  the  wife  of  John  Spalding, 
says : — 

"  I  was  personally  acquainted  with  Solomon 
Spalding,  about  twenty  years  ago.  I  was  at  his 
house  a  short  time  before  he  left  Conneaut ;  he  was 
then  writing  an  historical  novel,  founded  upon  the  first 
settlers  of  America.  He  represented  them  as  an  en- 
lightened and  warlike  people.  He  had  for  many 
years  contended  that  the  aborigines  of  America  were 
the  descendants  of  some  of  the  lost  tribes  of  Israel, 
and  this  idea  he  carried  out  in  the  book  in  question. 
The  lapse  of  time,  which  has  intervened,  prevents 
my  recollecting  but  few  of  the  leading  incidents  of 
his  writings  ;  but  the  names  of  Nephi  and  Lehi  are 
yet  fresh  in  my  memory,  as  being  the  principal  he- 
roes of  his  tale.  They  were  officers  of  the  company 
which  first  came  off  from  Jerusalem.  He  gave  a 
particular  account  of  their  journey  by  land  and  sea, 
till  they  arrived  in  America,  after  which  disputes 
arose  between  the  chiefs,  which  caused  them  to  se- 
parate into  different  lands,  one  of  which  was  called 


MORMOMSM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      39 

Lamanites,  and  the  other  Nephites.  Between  these 
were  recounted  tremendous  battles,  which  frequently 
covered  the  ground  with  the  slain ;  and  their  being 
buried  in  large  heaps  was  the  cause  of  the  numerous 
mounds  in  the  country.  Some  of  these  people  he  re- 
presented as  being  very  large.  I  have  read  the  Book 
of  Mormon,  which  has  brought  fresh  to  my  recollec- 
tion the  writings  of  Solomon  Spalding ;  and  I  have  no 
manner  of  doubt  that  the  historical  part  of  it  is  the 
same  that  I  read,  and  heard  read,  more  than  twenty 
years  ago.  The  old,  obsolete  style,  and  the  phrases 
of,  'And  it  came  to  pass,'  &c.,  are  the  same." 

This  Solomon  Spalding  appears  to  have  been, 
like  some  other  authors,  exceedingly  vain  of 
his  productions  :  at  least,  he  exhibited  and  read 
his  principal  manuscripts  so  often  to  his  neigh- 
bours and  friends,  that  they  still  recollect  its 
style  and  tenor. 

The  following  coincidences  are  so  striking, 
and  so  evidently  undesigned,  that  their  weight 
must  be  felt  by  every  ingenuous  mind. 

"  Conneaut,  Ashtabula  Co.,  Ohio,  Sep.,  1833. 
"  I  left  the  state  of  New- York,  late  in  the  year 
1810,  and  arrived  at  this  place  about  the  1st  of  Jan- 
uary following.  Soon  after  my  arrival,  I  formed  a 
partnership  with  Solomon  Spalding,  for  the  purpose 
of  rebuilding  a  forge  which  he  had  commenced  a 
year  or  two  before.  He  very  frequently  read  to  me 
from  a  manuscript  which  he  was  writing,  which  he 
entitled,  the  '  Manuscript  Found,'  and  which  he  re- 
presented as  being  found  in  this  town.  I  spent  many 
hours  in  hearing  him  read  said  writings,  and  became 
well  acquainted  with  their  contents.  He  wished  me 
to  assist  him  in  getting  his  production  printed,  alleg- 
ing that  a  book  of  that  kind  would  meet  with  a  rapid 


40      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

sale.  I  designed  doing  so,  but  the  forge  not  meeting 
our  anticipations,  we  failed  in  business,  when  I  de- 
clined having  any  thing  to  do  with  the  publication  of 
the  book.  This  book  represented  the  American  In- 
dians as  the  descendants  of  the  lost  tribes, — gave  an 
account  of  their  leaving  Jerusalem,  their  contentions 
and  wars,  which  were  many  and  great.  One  time, 
when  he  was  reading  to  me  the  tragic  account  of 
Laban,  I  pointed  out  to  him  what  I  considered  an 
inconsistency,  which  he  promised  to  correct ;  but  by 
referring  to  the  book  of  Mormon,  I  find,  to  my  sur- 
prise, that  it  stands  there  just  as  he  read  it  to  me 
then.  Some  months  ago  I  borrowed  the  Golden  Bi- 
ble, put  it  into  my  pocket,  carried  it  home,  and  thought 
no  more  of  it.  About  a  week  after,  my  wife  found 
the  book  in  my  coat  pocket,  as  it  hung  up,  and  com- 
menced reading  it  aloud  as  I  lay  upon  the  bed.  She 
had  not  read  twenty  minutes  till  I  was  astonished  to 
find  the  same  passages  in  it  that  Spalding  had  read 
to  me  more  than  twenty  years  before,  from  his  '  Man- 
uscript Found.'  Since  that,  I  have  more  fully  exa- 
mined the  said  Golden  Bible,  arid  have  no  hesitation 
in  saying,  that  the  historical  part  of  it  is  principally, 
if  not  wholly,  taken  from  the  '  Manuscript  Found.' 
I  well  recollect  telling  Mr.  Spalding,  that  the  so  fre- 
quent use  of  the  words,  i  And  it  came  to  pass,'  '  Now 
it  came  to  pass,'  rendered  it  ridiculous.  Spalding 
left  here  in  1812,  and  I  furnished  him  the  means  to 
carry  him  to  Pittsburgh,  where  he  said  he  would  get 
the  book  printed,  and  pay  me.  But  I  never  heard 
any  more  from  him  or  his  writings,  till  I  saw  them 
in  the  Book  of  Mormon.  HENRY  LAKE. 

"  Springfield,  Pa.,  September,  1833. 

"  In  the  year  1811, 1  was  in  the  employ  of  Henry 

Lake  and  Solomon  Spalding,  at  Conneaut,  engaged 

in  rebuilding  a  forge.     While  there,  I  boarded  and 

lodged  in  the  family  of  said  Spalding  for  several 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      41 

months.  I  was  soon  introduced  to  the  manuscript 
of  Spalding,  and  perused  it  as  often  as  I  had  leisure. 
He  had  written  two  or  three  books  or  pamphlets  on 
different  subjects  ;  but  that  which  more  particularly 
drew  my  attention,  was  one  which  he  called  the 
*  Manuscript  Found.'  From  this  he  would  frequently 
read  some  humorous  passages  to  the  company  pre- 
sent. It  purported  to  be  the  history  of  the  first  set- 
tlement of  America,  before  discovered  by  Columbus. 
He  brought  them  off  from  Jerusalem,  under  their 
leaders  ;  detailing  their  travels  by  land  and  water, 
their  manners,  customs,  laws,  wars,  &c.  He  said 
that  he  designed  it  as  an  historical  novel,  and  that  in 
after  years  it  would  be  believed  by  many  people  as 
much  as  the  history  of  England.  He  soon  after 
failed  in  business,  and  told  me  he  should  retire  from 
the  din  of  his  creditors,  finish  his  book,  and  have  it 
published,  which  would  enable  him  to  pay  his  debts, 
and  support  his  family.  He  soon  after  removed  to 
Pittsburgh,  as  I  understood. 

"  I  have  recently  examined  the  Book  of  Mormon, 
and  find  in  it  the  writings  of  Solomon  Spalding,  from 
beginning  to  end,  but  mixed  up  with  Scripture,  and 
other  religious  matter,  which  I  did  not  meet  with  in 
the  '  Manuscript  Found.'  Many  of  the  passages  in 
the  Mormon  Book  are  verbatim  from  Spalding,  and 
others  in  part.  The  names  of  Nephi,  Lehi,  Moroni, 
and  in  fact  all  the  principal  names,  are  brought  fresh 
to  my  recollection  by  the  Gold  Bible.  When  Spal- 
ding divested  his  history  of  its  fabulous  names,  by  a 
verbal  explanation,  he  landed  his  people  near  the 
Straits  of  Darien,  which  I  am  very  confident  he  call- 
ed Zarahemla;  they  were  marched  about  that  coun- 
try for  a  length  of  time,  in  which  wars  and  great 
bloodshed  ensued  ;  he  brought  them  across  North 
America,  in  a  north-east  direction. 

"  JOHN  N.  MILLER. 


42      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

"  Conneaut,  August,  1833. 

u  I  first  became  acquainted  with  Solomon  Spalding 
in  1808,  or  1809,  when  he  commenced  building  a 
forge  on  Conneaut  creek.  When  at  his  house,  one 
day,  he  showed  and  read  to  me  a  history  he  was 
writing,  of  the  lost  tribes  of  Israel,  purporting  that 
they  were  the  first  settlers  of  America,  and  that  the 
Indians  were  their  descendants.  Upon  this  subject 
we  had  frequent  conversations.  He  traced  their 
journey  from  Jerusalem  to  America,  as  it  is  given  in 
the  Book  of  Mormon,  excepting  the  religious  matter. 
The  historical  part  of  the  Book  of  Mormon  I  know 
to  be  the  same  as  I  read  and  heard  read  from  the 
writings  of  Spalding,  more  than  twenty  years  ago  ; 
the  names,  more  especially,  are  the  same,  without 
any  alteration.  He  told  me  his  object  was  to  account 
for  all  the  fortifications,  &c.,  to  be  found  in  this  coun- 
try, and  said  that  in  time  it  would  be  fully  believed 
by  all,  except  learned  men  and  historians.  I  once 
anticipated  reading  his  writings  in  print,  but  little 
expected  to  see  them  in  a  new  Bible.  Spalding  had 
many  other  manuscripts,  which  I  expect  to  see  when 
Smith  translates  his  other  plate.  In  conclusion,  I 
will  observe,  that  the  names  of,  and  most  of  the  his- 
torical part  of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  were  as  familiar 
to  me  before  I  read  it,  as  most  modern  history.  If 
it  is  not  Spalding's  writing,  it  is  the  same  as  he 
wrote  ;  and  if  Smith  was  inspired,  I  think  it  was  by 
the  same  spirit  that  Spalding  was,  which  he  confess- 
ed to  be  the  love  of  money. 

"  AARON  WRIGHT. 

"  Conneaut,  August,  1833. 

"  WThen  Solomon  Spalding  first  came  to  this  place, 
he  purchased  a  tract  of  land,  surveyed  it  out,  and 
commenced  selling  it.  While  engaged  in  this  busi- 
ness, he  boarded  at  my  house,  in  all  nearly  six 
months.  All  his  leisure  hours  were  occupied  in 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      43 

writing  an  historical  novel,  founded  upon  the  first 
settlers  of  this  country.  He  said  he  intended  to 
trace  their  journey  from  Jerusalem,  by  land  and  sea, 
till  their  arrival  in  America, — give  an  account  of 
their  arts,  sciences,  civilization,  wars,  and  conten- 
tions. In  this  way  he  would  give  a  satisfactory  ac- 
count of  all  of  the  old  mounds,  so  common  to  this 
country.  During  the  time  he  was  at  my  house,  I 
read,  and  heard  read  one  hundred  pages  or  more. 
Nephi  and  Lehi  were  by  him  represented  as  leading 
characters,  when  they  first  started  for  America. 
Their  main  object  was  to  escape  the  judgments  which 
they  supposed  were  coming  upon  the  old  world.  But 
no  religious  matter  was  introduced,  as  I  now  recol- 
lect. Just  before  he  left  this  place,  Spalding  sent 
for  me  to  call  on  him,  which  I  did.  He  then  said, 
that  although  he  was  in  my  debt,  he  intended  to  leave 
the  country,  and  hoped  I  would  not  prevent  him,  for, 
says  he,  you  know  I  have  been  writing  the  history 
of  the  first  settlement  of  America,  and  I  intend  to  go 
to  Pittsburgh,  and  there  live  a  retired  life,  till  I  have 
completed  the  work,  and  when  it  is  printed,  it  will 
bring  ine  a  fine  sum  of  money,  which  will  enable  me 
to  return  and  pay  off  all  my  debts  :  the  book,  you 
know,  will  sell,  as  every  one  is  anxious  to  learn 
something  upon  that  subject.  This  was  the  last  I 
heard  of  Spalding  or  his  book,  until  the  Book  of 
Mormon  came  into  the  neighbourhood.  When  I 
heard  the  historical  part  of  it  related,  I  at  once  said 
it  was  the  writing  of  old  Solomon  Spalding.  Soon 
after  I  obtained  the  book,  and,  on  reading  it,  found 
much  of  it  the  same  as  Spalding  had  written,  more 
than  twenty  years  before. 

"  OLIVER  SMITH. 

"  Conncaut,  August,  1833. 

"  I  first  became  acquainted  with  Solomon  Spalding 
in  Dec.,  1810.    After  that  time  I  frequently  saw  him 


44      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

at  his  house,  and  also  at  my  house.  I  once,  in  con- 
versation with  him,  expressed  a  surprise  at  not  hav- 
ing any  account  of  the  inhabitants  once  in  this  coun- 
try, who  erected  the  old  forts,  mounds,  &c.  He 
then  told  me  that  he  was  writing  a  history  of  that 
race  of  people  ;  and  afterward  frequently  showed  me 
his  writings,  which  I  read.  I  have  lately  read  the 
Book  of  Mormon,  and  believe  it  to  be  the  same  as 
Spalding  wrote,  except  the  religious  part.  He  told 
me  that  he  intended  to  get  his  writings  published  in 
Pittsburgh,  and  he  thought  that  in  one  century  from 
that  time  it  would  be  believed  as  much  as  any  other 
history.  NAHUM  HOWARD. 

"  Artemus  Cunningham,  of  Perry,  Geauga  county, 
states  as  follows  : — 

"In  the  month  of  October,  1811,  I  went  from 
the  township  of  Madison  to  Conneaut,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  securing  a  debt  due  me  from  Solomon  Spal- 
ding. I  tarried  with  him  nearly  two  days,  for  the 
purpose  of  accomplishing  my  object,  which  I  was 
finally  unable  to  do.  I  found  him  destitute  of  the 
means  of  paying  his  debts.  His  only  hope  of  ever 
paying  his  debts,  appeared  to  be  upon  the  sale  of  a 
book  which  he  had  been  writing.  He  endeavoured 
to  convince  me,  from  the  nature  and  character  of  the 
work,  that  it  would  meet  with  a  ready  sale.  Before 
showing  me  his  manuscripts,  he  went  into  a  verbal 
relation  of  its  outlines,  saying,  that  it  was  a  fabulous 
or  romantic  history  of  the  first  settlement  of  this 
country,  and  as  it  purported  to  have  been  a  record 
found  buried  in  the  earth,  or  in  a  cave,  he  had  adopt- 
ed the  ancient,  or  Scripture  style  of  writing.  He 
then  presented  his  manuscripts,  when  we  sat  down 
and  spent  a  good  share  of  the  night  in  reading  them, 
and  conversing  upon  them.  I  well  remember  the 
name  of  Nephi,  who  appeared  to  be  the  principal  hero 
of  the  story.  The  frequent  repetition  of  the  phrase, 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      45 

'  I  Nephi,'  I  recollect  as  distinctly  as  though  it  was 
but  yesterday,  although  the  general  features  of  the 
story  have  passed  from  my  memory,  through  the 
lapse  of  twenty-two  years.  He  attempted  to  account 
for  the  numerous  antiquities  which  are  found  upon 
this  continent,  and  remarked,  that  after  this  genera- 
tion had  passed  away,  his  account  of  the  first  inha- 
bitants of  America  would  be  considered  as  authentic 
as  any  other  history.  The  Mormon  Bible  I  have 
partially  examined,  and  am  fully  of  the  opinion  that 
Solomon  Spalding  had  written  its  outlines  before  he 
left  Conneaut." 

The  reader  will  now  desire  to  know  by  what 
process  the  "  Manuscript  Found"  came  into  the 
hands  of  Rigdon,  and,  after  having  been  reno- 
vated, interpolated,  and  rigged  out  to  suit  his 
plan,  was  transferred  to  the  hands  of  a  noted 
money-digger  at  a  distance  from  the  place  where 
it  was  designed  more  especially  to  operate,  in 
order  to  be  "  got  up"  in  a  miraculous  manner. 
The  latter  part  of  this  process,  viz.,  the  trans- 
fer, was  so  easy  and  practicable,  that  any  one 
may  comprehend  it  by  a  moment's  reflection, 
although  not  demonstrated  by  positive  evidence. 
We  think,  moreover,  that  the  former  part  is 
made  very  clear,  by  the  facts  which  Mr.  Howe 
has  collected. 

In  order  to  ascertain  what  disposition  Spal- 
ding made  of  his  manuscripts,  he  sent  a  mes- 
senger to  look  up  said  Spalding's  widow,  who 
still  survived.  From  her  it  was  ascertained  that 
the  family,  after  removing  from  Ohio,  resided 
about  two  years  in  Pittsburgh,  and  subsequent- 
ly went  to  Amity,  Pennsylvania,  where  the 


46      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

author  died  in  1816.  His  widow  then  removed 
to  Onondaga  county,  New-York,  married  again, 
subsequently  lived  in  Otsego  county,  and  thence 
removed  to  Massachusetts,  where  she  was 
found. 

She  stated  that  Spalding  had  a  great  variety 
of  MANUSCRIPTS,  one  of  which  she  recollected 
was  entitled,  the  "  Manuscript  Found."  While 
they  lived  in  Pittsburgh,  it  was  taken,  she  be- 
lieved, to  the  printing-office  of  Patterson  and 
Lambdin,  but  whether  it  was  ever  brought  back 
to  the  house  again,  she  was  quite  uncertain. 
If  it  was,  however,  it  must  still  be  in  a  trunk 
with  his  other  writings,  which  she  had  left  in 
Otsego  county,  New- York. 

"  The  trunk,  referred  to  by  the  widow,  was  sub- 
sequently examined,  and  found  to  contain  only  a  sin- 
gle manuscript  book,  in  Spalding's  hand-writing, 
containing  about  one  quire  of  paper.  This  is  a  ro- 
mance, purporting  to  have  been  translated  from  the 
Latin,  found  on  twenty-four  rolls  of  parchment  in  a 
cave,  on  the  banks  of  Conneaut  creek,  but  written 
in  modern  style,  and  giving  a  fabulous  account  of  a 
ship  being  driven  upon  the  American  coast,  while 
proceeding  from  Rome  to  Britain,  a  short  time  pre- 
vious to  the  Christian  era,  this  country  then  being 
inhabited  by  the  Indians.  This  old  manuscript  has 
been  shown  to  several  of  the  foregoing  witnesses, 
who  recognise  it  as  Spalding's,  he  having  told  them 
that  he  had  altered  his  first  plan  of  writing,  by  going 
further  back  with  dates,  and  writing  in  the  old  Scrip- 
ture style,  in  order  that  it  might  appear  more  ancient. 
They  say  that  it  bears  no  resemblance  to  the  '  Man- 
uscript Found?  " 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      47 

Recourse  was  now  had  to  the  firm  of  Pat- 
terson and  Lambdin,  in  Pittsburgh ;  but  here 
death  had  interposed  a  barrier  to  full  inquiry. 

"  That  establishment  was  dissolved  and  broken  up 
many  years  since,  and  Lambdin  died  about  eight 
years  ago.  Mr.  Patterson  said  he  had  no  recollec- 
tion of  any  such  manuscript  being  brought  there  for 
publication,  neither  would  he  have  been  likely  to  have 
seen  it,  as  the  business  of  printing  was  conducted 
wholly  by  Lambdin  at  that  time.  He  says,  how- 
ever, that  many  manuscript  books  and  pamphlets 
were  brought  to  the  office  about  that  time,  which  re- 
mained upon  their  shelves  for  years,  without  being 
printed,  or  even  examined.  Now,  as  Spalding's 
book  can  nowhere  be  found,  or  any  thing  heard  of 
it  after  being  carried  to  this  establishment,  there  is 
the  strongest  presumption  that  it  remained  there  in 
seclusion,  till  about  the  year  1823,  or  1824,  at  which 
time  Sidney  Rigdon  located  himself  in  that  city. 
We  have  been  credibly  informed  that  he  was  on 
terms  of  intimacy  with  Lambdin,  being  seen  fre- 
quently in  his  shop.  Rigdon  resided  in  Pittsburgh 
about  three  years,  and  during  the  whole  of  that  time, 
as  he  has  since  frequently  asserted,  abandoned 
preaching  and  all  other  employment,  for  the  purpose 
of  studying  the  Bible.  He  left  there,  and  came  into 
Geauga  county,  Ohio,  about  the  time  Lambdin  died, 
and  commenced  preaching  some  new  points  of  doc- 
trine, which  were  afterward  found  to  be  inculcated 
in  the  Mormon  Bible.  He  resided  in  this  vicinity 
about  four  years  previous  to  the  appearance  of  the 
book,  during  which  time  he  made  several  long  visits 
to  Pittsburgh,  and  perhaps  to  the  Susquehannah, 
where  Smith  was  then  digging  for  money,  or  pre- 
tending to  be  translating  plates.  It  may  be  observed, 
also,  that  about  the  time  Rigdon  left  Pittsburgh,  the 


48      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

Smith  family  began  to  tell  about  finding  a  book  that 
would  contain  a  history  of  the  first  inhabitants  of 
America,  and  that  two  years  elapsed  before  they 
finally  got  possession  of  it. 

"  We  are,  then,  irresistibly  led  to  this  conclusion, 
that  Lambdin,  after  having  failed  in  business,  had 
recourse  to  the  old  manuscripts  then  in  his  posses- 
sion, in  order  to  raise  the  wind,  by  a  book  specula- 
tion, and  placed  the  '  Manuscript  Found,'  of  Spalding, 
in  the  hands  of  Rigdon,  to  be  embellished,  altered, 
and  added  to,  as  he  might  think  expedient ;  and  three 
years'  study  of  the  Bible  we  should  deem  little  time 
enough  to  garble  it,  as  it  is  transferred  to  the  Mor- 
mon book.  The  former  dying,  left  the  latter  the 
sole  proprietor,  who  was  obliged  to  resort  to  his  wits, 
and  in  a  miraculous  way  to  bring  it  before  the  world  ; 
for  in  no  other  manner  could  such  a  book  be  publish- 
ed without  great  sacrifice.  And  where  could  a  more 
suitable  character  be  found  than  Jo  Smith,  whose 
necromantic  fame,  and  arts  of  deception,  had  already 
extended  to  a  considerable  distance  1  That  Lambdin 
was  a  person  every  way  qualified  and  fitted  for  such 
an  enterprise,  we  have  the  testimony  of  his  partner 
in  business,  and  others  of  his  acquaintance.  The 
whole  mystery  of  this  affair  is  solved  by  adding  to 
these  circumstances  the  facts,  that  Rigdon  had  pre- 
pared the  minds,  in  a  great  measure,  of  nearly  a  hun- 
dred of  those  who  had  attended  his  ministration  to  be 
in  readiness  to  embrace  the  first  mysterious  ism  that 
should  be  presented — the  appearance  of  Cowdery  at 
his  residence  as  soon  as  the  book  was  printed — his 
sudden  conversion,  after  many  pretensions  to  disbe- 
lieve it — his  immediately  repairing  to  the  residence 
of  Smith,  three  hundred  miles  distant,  where  he  was 
forthwith  appointed  an  elder,  high-priest,  and  a  scribe 
to  the  prophet — the  pretended  vision  that  his  resi- 
dence in  Ohio  was  the  '  promised  land.'  and  the  im- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      49 

mediate  removal  of  the  whole  Smith  family  thither, 
where  they  were  soon  raised  from  a  state  of  poverty 
to  comparative  affluence." 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Book  of  Mormon  published — Testimony  of  the 
witnesses — Cross  examination — Contents  of  the  book. 

AFTER  the  preceding  exhibition  of  "  means 
and  appliances  to  boot,"  it  appears  in  no  way 
wonderful  that  the  Mormon  Bible  at  length 
issued  from  the  press. 

Such,  however,  were  the  external  and  the 
internal  evidences  of  its  forgery,  that  the  spec- 
ulation could  not  be  ventured  without  solemn 
certificates,  averring  it  to  be  a  REVELATION, 
communicated  by  angels,  through  the  medium 
of  certain  plates  having  the  appearance  of  gold. 
The  title-page  was  embellished  with  this  de- 
claration : — The  Book  of  Mormon,  &c.,  by  Jo- 
seph Smith,  Jr.,  AUTHOR  AND  PROPRIETOR, 
which  was  duly  confirmed  by  a  certificate  of 
copyright,  under  the  hand  and  seal  of  R.  R 
Lansing,  clerk  of  the  northern  district  of  New- 
York.  In  flat  contradiction  to  this  claim  of 
author  and  proprietorship,  were  the  following 
testimonies  at  the  conclusion. 

"  The  testimony  of  three  witnesses. — Be  it  known 

unto  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  people,  unto 

whom  this  work  shall  come,  that  we,  through  the 

grace  of  God  the  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 

4 


50      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

have  seen  the  plates  which  contain  this  record,  which 
is  a  record  of  the  people  of  Nephi,  and  also  of  the 
Lamanites,  their  brethren,  and  also  of  the  people  of 
Jared,  who  came  from  the  tower  of  which  hath  been 
spoken  ;  and  we  also  know  that  they  have  been  trans- 
lated by  the  gift  and  power  of  God,  for  his  voice  hath 
declared  it  unto  us  ;  wherefore  we  know,  of  a  surety, 
that  the  work  is  true.  And  we  also  testify,  that  we 
have  seen  the  engravings  which  are  upon  the  plates  : 
and  they  have  been  shown  unto  us  by  the  power  of 
God,  and  not  of  man.  And  we  declare,  with  words 
of  soberness,  that  an  angel  of  God  came  down  from 
heaven,  and  he  brought  and  laid  before  our  eyes,  that 
we  beheld  and  saw  the  plates,  and  the  engravings 
thereon  ;  and  we  know  that  it,  is  by  the  grace  of  God 
the  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  we  be- 
held and  bear  record  that  these  things  are  true  ;  and 
it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes  ;  nevertheless,  the  voice 
of  the  Lord  commanded  us  that  we  should  bear  re- 
cord of  it ;  wherefore,  to  be  obedient  unto  the  com- 
mandments of  God,  we  bear  testimony  of  these  things. 
And  we  know  that  if  we  are  faithful  in  Christ,  we 
shall  rid  our  garments  of  the  blood  of  all  men,  and  be 
found  spotless  before  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ, 
and  shall  dwell  with  him  eternally  in  the  heavens. 
And  the  honour  be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son,  and 
to  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  one  God.  Amen. 

"  OLIVER  COWDERY, 
"  DAVID  WHITMER, 
"  MARTIN  HARRIS." 

"  And  also  the  testimony  of  eight  witnesses. — Be 
it  known  unto  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  peo- 
ple, unto  whom  this  work  shall  come,  that  Joseph 
Smith,  Jr.,  the  translator  of  this  work,  has  shown 
unto  us  the  plates  of  which  hath  been  spoken,  which 
have  the  appearance  of  gold  ;  and  as  many  of  the 
leaves  as  the  said  Smith  has  translated,  we  did  han- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      51 

die  with  our  hands  :  and  we  also  saw  the  engravings 
thereon,  all  of  which  has  the  appearance  of  ancient 
work,  and  of  curious  workmanship.  And  this  we 
bear  record  with  words  of  soberness,  that  the  said 
Smith  has  shown  unto  us,  for  we  have  seen  and 
hefted,  and  know,  of  a  surety,  that  the  said  Smith 
has  got  the  plates  of  which  we  have  spoken.  And 
we  give  our  names  unto  the  world  to  witness  unto 
the  world  that  which  we  have  seen  ;  and  we  lie  not, 
God  bearing  witness  of  it. 

'  CHRISTIAN  WHITMER, 
1  JACOB  WHITMER, 
'  PETER  WHITMER,  JR., 
4  JOHN  WHITMER, 
HIRAM  PAGE, 
'  JOSEPH  SMITH,  SEN., 
HYRUM  SMITH, 
'  SAMUEL  H.  SMITH." 

As  these  certificates  constitute  the  entire  evi- 
dence of  the  divine  authenticity  of  the  book  in 
question,  as  they  have  often  been  recited  in 
large  congregations,  and  as  they  are  still  ap- 
pealed to  in  proof  of  the  same,  they  deserve  a 
patient  examination. 

If  we  could  for  once  suppose  these  indi- 
viduals to  have  been  honest,  disinterested,  and 
credible  men,  yet  the  vagueness  and  contradic- 
tory nature  of  their  statements  would  render 
their  testimony  exceedingly  suspicious.  Leav- 
ing out  formal  and  deceptive  redundancies,  the 
whole  of  the  testimony  of  three  witnesses  is 
reduced  to  these  particulars: — 1.  We  have 
seen  the  plates  which  contain  this  record. 
2.  We  know  that  they  have  been  translated  by 


52      MORMONISM  AN^  THE  MORMONS. 

the  power  of  God.  3.  Also  we  have  seen  the 
engravings  which  are  upon  the  plates  ;  and, 
4.  They  have  been  shewn  unto  us  by  the  power 
of  God,  and  not  of  man.  5.  An  angel  of  God 
came  down  from  heaven  and  brought  (what  ?) 
and  laid  before  our  eyes. 

On  this  we  remark — 1 .  That  these  men  may 
have  seen  plates  is  very  possible  ;  but  in  order 
to  know  that  said  plates  contained  a  given  re- 
cord, they  must  have  been  able  to  understand 
their  contents,  and  have  had  opportunity  to 
compare  them  with  said  record. 

It  is  not  pretended,  however,  that  they  had 
either  such  ability  or  opportunity,  but  the  con- 
trary : — consequently  they  knew  not  whereof 
they  affirmed. 

2.  If  they  understood  not  the  contents,  how 
could  they  know  that  there  had  been  any  trans- 
lation at  all,  not  to  say  a  correct  or  divinely- 
assisted  one  ?     The  reason  given  is,  "  for  his 
[God's]  voice  hath  declared  .it  unto  us."     We 
are  not  told  whether  to  understand  this  literally 
or  figuratively  ;   whether  said  voice  was  heard 
by  them  individually  or  collectively,  sleeping 
or  waking,  or  how  they  knew  it  was  from  God  ; 
and  hence  every  rational  mind  will  discredit 
the  whole  statement. 

3.  It   had   previously  been   stated  that  the 
plates  had  been  translated.     What  need  then 
of  such   special  interposition  to  show  the  en- 
gravings upon  the  plates,  since  the  witnesses 
do  not  assert  that  these  were  translated  ? 

The   4th  particular  is   equally  destitute  of 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      53 

certainty  and  plausibility.  The  5th  betrays  a 
most  puerile  and  trickish  attempt  at  deceit. 
As  to  the  subsequent  flourish  respecting  the 
truth  of  "  these  things,"  it  is  so  ambiguous,  that 
no  one  knows  whether  to  apply  it  to  the  par- 
ticulars here  enumerated,  or  to  those  contained 
in  the  book,  all  of  which  are  alike  destitute  of 
foundation. 

The  testimony  of  eight  witnesses  is  very  dif- 
ferent from  the  preceding.  According  to  this, 
all  that  before  required  "  the  voice  of  God,"  the 
descent  of  "  an  angel  of  God  from  heaven,"  yea, 
all  that  was  shown  to  the  three  "  by  the  power 
of  God,  and  not  of  man,"  is  here  exhibited  to 
eight  by  "  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  translator  of  this 
work."  Still  more,  he  goes  further  than  either 
God  or  the  angel,  and  suffers  the  plates  to  be 
handled  with  hands. 

That  Smith  showed  them  plates,  which,  to 
ignorant  men  had  the  appearance  of  gold,  is 
easy  enough  to  be  believed  ;  and  if  he  had 
manufactured  the  same,  it  would  have  been  no 
great  stretch  of  ingenuity.  But  how  could  they 
know  that  they  had  handled  and  hefted  as  many 
of  the  leaves  as  said  Smith  translated  ?  Cer- 
tainly on  no  other  ground  than  his  "  say  so," 
which  is  good  for  nothing. 

But  if  of  a  surety  Jo  had  "  got"  these  plates, 
and,  as  he  pretended,  had  had  them  two  or 
three  years  in  a  box,  how  could  they  have  got 
up  to  heaven,  whence  Cowdery  and  Harris 
aver  that  an  angel  came  down  to  bring  them, 
and  lay  before  their  eyes  ?  Minor  discrepan- 


£>4  MORMON  ISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

cies  and  grammatical  blunders  we  cannot  pause 
to  notice. 

Now  on  the  supposition  that  this  testimony  (!) 
did  not  fully  contradict,  and,  beyond  remedy, 
destroy  itself,  it  would  be  rendered  suspicious 
by  being  unaccompanied  with  date  of  either 
time  or  place,  and  by  not  having  been  deposed 
in  legal  form.  Suspicion  would  be  increased 
by  observing,  that  out  of  eleven  witnesses,  five 
are  Whitmers,  and  three  are  Smiths,  belong- 
ing to  two  families. 

Finally,  waiving  every  other  consideration, 
since  these  individuals  have  presumed  to  chal- 
lenge the  attention  of  all  "  nations,  kindreds, 
tongues,  and  people"  to  the  wretched  humbug 
they  have  attempted  to  palm  off  upon  the  world, 
we  have  thought  proper  to  submit  above,  to  all, 
as  far  as  these  presents  may  come,  a  legal  and 
an  incontestable  impeachment  of  their  charac- 
ter and  veracity,  such  as  before  a  jury,  in  any 
civilized  country,  would  render  their  testimony 
null  and  void,  even  though  it  were  intelligible 
and  disinterested.  One  of  these  two  conclu- 
sions appears  to  us  irresistible, — either  these 
witnesses  were  grossly  deceived  by  a  lying 
prophet,  or  else  they  wickedly  and  wilfully 
perjured  themselves,  by  swearing  to  what  they 
knew  to  be  false. 

The  former,  although  not  very  creditable  to 
their  good  sense,  is  yet  the  more  charitable 
opinion,  "and  is  rendered  probable  by  the  fact, 
that  hundreds  have  been  deceived  in  the  same 
way.  It  is  confirmed,  moreover,  by  the  well- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      55 

known  mental  phenomenon,  that  to  individuals 
accustomed  to  disregard  the  laws  of  veracity, 
truth  and  falsehood  are  alike.  They  can  as 
easily  persuade  themselves  of  the  one  as  of  the 
other.  This  fact  is  as  notorious  respecting  the 
"  yarns  of  the  forecastle,"  as  it  is  manifest  in 
the  tales  and  witchery  of  the  money-diggers. 
But  the  awful  crime  of  perjury  has  been  com- 
mitted among  men.  And  if  probable  subjects 
for  its  repetition  could  be  anywhere  found, 
where  should  we  expect  to  meet  them  sooner, 
than  among  such  as  were  about  to  run  the  fear- 
ful hazard  of  the  plagues  denounced  against 
any  man  who  should  presume  to  add  to  the  re- 
velation of  God  ? 

Men  who  could  deny  adultery  to  be  a  crime, 
and  who  could  be  guilty  of  the  blasphemy  of 
pretending  to  utter  the  voice  of  the  Almighty, 
upon  any  trivial  occasion,  which  suited  such 
pretence  to  their  interest,  could  not  have  had 
the  fear  of  God  before  their  eyes,  and  must  have 
been  instigated  by  the  devil.  That  the  tempo- 
ral interests  of  these  witnesses  were  pending, 
and  were  actually  advanced  by  this  step,  will 
soon  appear. 

In  order  to  give  a  consecutive,  although  a 
very  abridged  account  of  the  spread  of  the  de- 
lusion, we  forego  an  examination  of  the  pre- 
tended Bible  for  the  present,  merely  subjoining 
an  index  to  its  contents,  that  we  have  drawn  up 
from  the  edition  before  us. 

This  table  will  serve  to  explain  the  refer- 
ences to  the  book,  which  occur  in  our  narra- 


56      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

live,  and  is  recommended  as  worthy  of  being 
incorporated  in  the  next  edition  of  that  work, 
for  the  convenience  of  its  readers. 

CONTENTS   OF  THE   BOOK   OF  MORMON. 

The  first  book  of  Nephi  contains          7  chap's. 
The  second  book  of  Nephi,         .        15 
The  book  of  Jacob,  the  brother 

of  Nephi,  ....  5 
The  book  of  Enos,  ...  1 
The  book  of  Jarom,  ...  1 
The  book  of  Omni,  ...  1 
The  words  of  Mormon,  .  .  1 
The  book  of  Mosiah,  .  .  13 

The  book  of  Alma,  ...  30 
The  book  of  Helamon,  .  .  5 
The  book  of  Nephi,  who  was  the 

son  of  Helamon,  ...  14 
The  book  of  Nephi,  who  is  the  son 

of  Nephi,  one  of  the  disciples  of 

Jesus  Christ,  ...         1 

Book  of  Mormon,  ...  4 
Book  of  Ether,  ...  6 

The  book  of  Moroni,  .         .10 

Note. — Thus  we  have  fifteen  books,  which 
contain  one  hundred  and  fifteen  chapters.  Only 
a  few  of  either  are  preceded  by  any  summary 
of  topics.  Such  summaries  as  we  find  will  now 
be  copied  verbatim. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      57 

THE   FIRST  BOOK  OF  NEPHI  : 
HIS  REIGN  AND  MINISTRY. 

Chapter  I. — An  account  of  Lehi  and  his  wife,  Sa- 
riah,  and  his  four  sons,  being  called  (beginning  at  the 
eldest)  Laman,  Lemuel,  Sam,  and  Nephi.  The  Lord 
warns  Lehi  to  depart  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem, 
because  he  prophesieth  unto  the  people  concerning 
their  iniquity  :  and  they  seek  to  destroy  his  life.  He 
taketh  three  days'  journey  into  the  wilderness  with 
his  family.  Nephi  taketh  his  brethren,  and  returns 
to  the  land  of  Jerusalem  after  the  record  of  the  Jews. 
The  account  of  their  sufferings.  They  take  the  daugh- 
ters of  Ishmael  to  wife.  They  take  their  families, 
and  depart  into  the  wilderness.  Their  sufferings  and 
afflictions  in  the  wilderness.  The  course  of  their 
travels.  They  come  to  the  large  waters.  Nephi's 
brethren  rebelleth  against  him.  He  confoundeth 
them,  and  buildeth  a  ship.  They  call  the  name  of 
the  place  Bountiful.  They  cross  the  large  waters 
into  the  promised  land,  &c.  This  is  according  to  the 
account  of  Nephi;  or,  in  other  words,  I,  Nephi, 
wrote  this  record. 

THE  SECOND  BOOK  OF   NEPHI. 

Chapter  I. — An  account  of  the  death  of  Lehi. 
Nephi's  brethren  rebelleth  against  him.  The  Lord 
warns  Nephi  to  depart  into  the  wilderness.  His 
journeyings  in  the  wilderness,  &c. 

THE  BOOK  OF  JACOB,  THE  BROTHER  OF  NEPHI. 

Chapter  I. — The  words  of  his  preaching  unto  his 
brethren.  He  confoundeth  a  man  who  seeketh  to 
overthrow  the  doctrine  of  Christ.*  A  few  words 
concerning  the  history  of  the  people  of  Nephi 

*  At  least  500  B.  C. 


58  MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 


BOOK  OF  MOSIAH. 
CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  RECORD  OF  ZENIFF. 

An  account  of  his  people,  from  the  time  they  left 
the  land  of  Zarahemla,  until  the  time  that  they  were 
delivered  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Lamanites. 

THE  BOOK  OF  ALMA, 
THE   SON  OF  ALMA. 

Chapter  I. — The  account  of  Alma,  who  was  the 
son  of  Alma  the  first,  and  chief  judge  over  the  peo- 
ple of  Nephi,  and  also  the  high  priest  over  the  church. 
An  account  of  the  reign  of  the  judges,  and  the  wars 
and  contentions  among  the  people.  And  also  an  ac- 
count of  a  war  between  the  Nephites  and  the  Laman- 
ites, according  to  the  record  of  Alma  the  first,  and 
chief judge. 

Chapter  XII. — An  account  of  the  sons  of  Mosiah, 
who  rejected  their  rights  to  the  kingdom,  for  the  word 
of  God,  and  went  up  to  the  land  of  Nephi,  to  preach 
to  the  Lamanites.  Their  sufferings  and  deliverance, 
according  to  the  record  of  Alma. 

Chapter  XIII. — An  account  of  the  preaching  of 
Aaron  and  Muloki,  and  their  brethren,  to  the  La- 
manites. 

Chapter  XXI. — The  account  of  the  people  of 
Nephi,  and  their  wars  and  dissensions,  in  the  days 
of  Helaman,  according  to  the  record  of  Helaman, 
which  he  kept  in  his  days. 

THE  BOOK  OF  HELAMAN. 

Chapter  I. — An  account  of  the  Nephites.  Their 
wars  and  contentions,  and  their  dissensions.  And 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      59 

also  the  prophecies  of  many  holy  prophets,  before  the 
coming  of  Christ,  according  to  the  record  of  Hela- 
man,  who  was  the  son  of  Helaman,  and  also  accord- 
ing to  the  records  of  his  sons,  even  down  to  the  coming 
of  Christ.  And  also  many  of  the  Lamanites  are  con- 
verted. An  account  of  their  conversion.  An  ac- 
count of  the  righteousness  of  the  Lamanites,  and  the 
wickedness  and  abominations  of  the  Nephites,  ac- 
cording to  the  record  of  Helaman  and  his  sons,  even 
down  to  the  coming  of  Christ,  which  is  called  the 
book  of  Helaman,  &c. 

CHAPTER  III. 

THE  PROPHECY   OF  NEPHI, 
THE   SON  OF  HELAMAN. 

God  threatens  the  people  of  Nephi,  that  he  will 
visit  them  in  his  anger,  to  their  utter  destruction, 
except  they  repent  of  their  wickedness.  God  smiteth. 
the  people  of  Nephi  with  pestilence  ;  they  repent  and 
turn  unto  him.  Samuel,  a  Lamanite,  prophesies  unto 
the  Nephites. 

THE  BOOK  OF  NEPHI,  THE  SON  OF  NEPHI, 

WHO  WAS  THE  SON  OF  HELAMAN. 

Chapter  I. — And  Helaman  was  the  son  of  Hela- 
man, who  was  the  son  of  Alma,  who  was  the  son  of 
Alma,  being  a  descendant  of  Nephi,  who  was  the  son 
of  Lehi,  who  came  out  of  Jerusalem  in  the  first  year 
of  the  reign  of  Zedekiah,  the  king  of  Judah. 

Chapter  V. — Jesus  Christ  sheweth  himself  unto 
the  people  of  Nephi,  as  the  multitude  were  gathered 
together  in  the  land  Bountiful,  and  did  minister  unto 
them :  and  on  this  wise  did  he  shew  himself  unto 
them. 


60      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

Our  own  humble  opinion  is,  that  just  as  much 
correct  knowledge  and  real  information  may  be 
drawn  from  the  above  nondescript  and  hetero- 
geneous medley  of  contents,  as  from  a  perusal 
of  the  entire  volume  of  five  hundred  and  seventy 
pages.  But  more  anon. 


CHAPTER  V. 

P.  P.  Pratt  makes  his  appearance  in  Ontario  county — 
He  is  forthwith  converted  and  ordained — Mission  to  the 
Lamanites — Smith's  wife  constituted  amanuensis — Easy 
method  of  getting  a  revelation — Lamanites  found  in 
Ohio  —  Rigdon's  conversion — Pratt's  denial  of  the  con- 
trivance examined. 

BEFORE  this  ghostly  work  issued  from  the 
press,  numbers  were  already  on  the  qui  vive 
for  its  reception.  The  term  Golden  Bible,  which 
had  been  thrown  out  in  the  rumours  set  afloat 
respecting  it,  was  too  well  adapted,  both  to  the 
cupidity  and  the  marvellousness  of  this  money- 
making  age,  not  to  excite  great  expectations  on 
the  part  of  the  ignorant  and  the  fanatical. 

Nevertheless,  it  does  not  appear  that  many 
were  added  to  the  company  of  those  primarily 
initiated,  until  after  the  principal  seat  of  opera- 
tions was  transferred  to  Ohio.  It  is  interesting 
to  observe  how  miraculously  this  event  was 
brought  about.  "  It  came  to  pass,"  not  long 
after  the  publication  of  the  Book  of  Mormon, 
that  a  man  named  Pratt,  an  intimate  acquaint- 
ance of  Sidney  Rigdon,  and  a  convert  to  his 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      61 

doctrines,  made  his  appearance  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  the  Smiths.  This  person,  in  a 
very  short  lime,  became  a  disciple  to  Mormon- 
ism,  and  a  teacher  of  its  dogmas.  He  was, 
indeed,  so  promising  a  convert,  as  almost  im- 
mediately to  deserve  and  receive  a  commission 
to  proceed  westward  on  a  pretended  mission  to 
the  Indians.  This  expedition  was  fitted  out 
under  the  nominal  direction  of  Oliver  Cowdery 
to  whom  the  following  was  furnished  by  Smith. 

A  REVELATION  UNTO  OLIVER,  GIVEN  SEPTEM- 
BER,   1830. 

"  Behold,  I  say  unto  you  Oliver,  that  it  shall  be 
given  thee,  that  thou  shalt  be  heard  by  the  church  in 
all  things  whatsoever  thou  shalt  teach  them  by  the 
Comforter,  concerning  the  revelations  and  command- 
ments which  I  have  given.  But,  verily,  verily,  I  say 
unto  you,  no  one  shall  be  appointed  to  receive  com- 
mandments and  revelations  in  the  church,  excepting 
my  servant  Joseph,  for  he  receiveth  them  even  as 
Moses,  and  thou  shalt  be  obedient  unto  the  things 
which  I  shall  give  unto  him,  even  as  Aaron,  to  de- 
clare faithfully  the  commandments  and  revelations, 
with  power  and  authority  unto  the  church.  And  if 
thou  art  led  at  any  time  by  the  Comforter  to  speak  or 
teach,  or  at  all  times  by  the  way  of  commandment 
unto  the  church,  thou  mayest  do  it;  but  shall  not 
vrite  by  way  of  commandment,  but  by  wisdom  :  and 
thou  shalt  not  command  him  who  is  at  thy  head,  and 
at  the  head  of  the  church  ;  for  I  have  given  him  the 
keys  of  the  mysteries  of  the  revelations  which  are 
sealed,  until  I  shall  appoint  unto  him  another  in  his 
stead — and  now,  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  thou 
shalt  go  unto  the  Lamanites,  and  preach  my  gospel 
unto  them  ;  and  thou  shalt  have  revelations,  but  write 


62      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

them  not  by  way  of  commandment.  And  now  I  say 
unto  you,  that  it  is  not  revealed,  and  no  man  know- 
eth  where  the  city  shall  be  built,  but  it  shall  be  given 
hereafter.  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  it  shall  be 
among  the  Lamanites.  Thou  shalt  not  leave  this 
place  until  after  the  conference,  and  my  servant  Jo- 
seph shall  be  appointed  to  rule  the  conference,  by  the 
voice  of  it ;  and  what  he  saith  unto  thee,  that  thou  shalt 
tell.  And  again,  thou  shalt  take  thy  brother  Hyrum 
between  him  and  thee  alone,  and  tell  him  that  these 
things  which  he  hath  written  from  that  stone,  are  not 
of  me,  and  that  Satan  hath  deceived  him,  for  these 
things  have  not  been  appointed  unto  him,  neither 
shall  any  thing  be  appointed  to  any  in  this  church, 
contrary  to  the  church  covenant,  for  all  things  must 
be  done  in  order,  and  by  commandment,  by  the  prayer 
of  faith,  and  thou  shalt  settle  all  these  things  before 
thou  shalt  take  thy  journey  among  the  Lamanites  ; 
and  it  shall  be  given  from  time  to  time,  that  thou 
shalt  go,  until  the  time  that  thou  shalt  return,  what 
thou  shalt  do  ;  and  thou  must  open  thy  mouth  at  ail 
times,  declaring  my  gospel  with  the  sound  of  rejoic- 
ing. Amen." 

The  above  document  is  chiefly  remarkable, 
as  being  the  first  of  a  series  of  pretended  reve- 
lations. 

It  shows,  moreover,  1.  That  migration  west- 
ward was  already  anticipated.  2.  The  narrow- 
mindedness  of  Smith,  who  was  growing  jealous 
of  rivalry,  both  from  Cowdery  and  from  his 
brother  Hyrum,  who  found  it  no  great  task  to 
do  as  Joseph  had  done,  viz.,  to  write  things 
from  "  that  stone,"  which  were  not  of  God. 
3.  Jo  assumes  the  prerogative  of  revelation  for 
life,  or  at  least  ad  libitum. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      63 

Cowdery  had  been  the  principal  amanuensis 
hitherto,  and  having  been  a  schoolmaster,  it  is 
presumed  that  his  pedigogical  talents  found 
ample  scope,  as  well  in  giving  lessons  to  "  the 
author,"  as  in  transcribing  the  book,  since 
Smith's  followers  assured  Mr.  Howe  that  the 
prophet  could  not  write  his  own  name  at  the 
time  he  was  "  chosen  of  the  Lord."  Be  that 
as  it  may,  after  two  or  three  years'  tuition  and 
practice  he  deemed  himself  qualified  to  proceed, 
without  any  further  assistance  in  this  depart- 
ment than  that  of  his  own  better  half.  His  idea 
of  self-aggrandizement  was  now  so  expanded 
as  to  take  in  his  family.  Witness  the  follow- 
ing revelation,  commanding  his  wife  "  not  to 
work,  but  to  be  supported  from  the  church." 

"A  commandment  to  Emma,  my  daughter  in  Zion, 
A.  D.,  1830. — A  revelation  I  give  unto  you  concern- 
ing my  will.  Behold,  thy  sins  are  forgiven  thee,  and 
thou  art  an  elect  lady,  whom  I  have  called.  Murmur 
not  because  of  the  things  which  thou  hast  seen,  for 
they  are  withheld  from  thee  and  from  the  world, 
which  is  wisdom  in  me  in  a  time  to  come  ;  and  the 
office  of  thy  calling  shall  be  for  a  comfort  unto  my 
servant  Joseph,  thy  husband,  in  his  afflictions,  with 
consoling  words  in  the  spirit  of  meekness  ;  and  thou 
shalt  go  with  him  at  the  time  of  his  going,  and  be 
unto  him  a  scribe,  that  I  may  send  Oliver  whitherso- 
ever I  will  :  and  thou  shalt  be  ordained  under  his 
hand  to  expound  the  Scripture,  and  to  exhort  the 
church,  according  as  it  shall  be  given  thee  by  my 
Spirit,  for  he  shall  lay  his  hands  upon  thee,  and  thou 
shalt  receive  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  thy  time  shall  be 
given  to  writing  and  to  learning  much  ;  and  thou 


64      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

needst  not  fear,  for  thy  husband  shall  support  thee 
from  the  church,  for  unto  them  is  his  calling,  that  all 
things  might  be  revealed  unto  them,  whatsoever  I 
will,  according  to  their  faith  ;  and  verily  I  say  unto 
thee,  that  thou  shalt  lay  aside  the  things  of  this  world, 
and  seek  for  the  things  of  a  better ;  and  it  shall  be 
given  thee  also  to  make  a  selection  of  sacred  hymns, 
as  it  shall  be  given  thee,  which  is  pleasing  unto  me, 
o  be  had  in  my  church,  for  my  soul  delights  in  the 
song  of  the  heart,  yea,  the  song  of  the  righteous  is  a 
prayer  unto  me,  and  it  shall  be  answered  with  a  bless- 
ing upon  their  heads  ;  wherefore  lift  up  thy  heart,  and 
rejoice,  and  cleave  unto  the  covenant  which  thou  hast 
made — continue  in  the  spirit  of  meekness — let  thy 
soul  delight  in  thy  husband,  and  the  glory  which  shall 
come  upon  him — keep  my  commandments  continu- 
ally, and  a  crown  of  righteousness  thou  shalt  receive  ; 
and  except  thou  do  this,  where  I  am  ye  cannot  come  ; 
and  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  that  this  is  my  voice  unto 
all.  Amen." 

It  is  stated,  that  from  this  time  neither  spec- 
tacles nor  "  peep-stone"  were  used  in  order  to 
obtain  a  revelation,  but,  when  one  was  wanted, 
it  came  to  the  prophet,  who  received  and  uttered 
the  same  with  his  eyes  shut.  A  sufficient 
amount  of  faith  to  receive  every  thing  thus  ut- 
tered as  directly  and  positively  from  God,  was 
the  prime  condition  of  discipleship.  In  fact, 
the  Mormons  have  always  been  taught,  that  to 
question  or  to  doubt  the  divine  authority  of  these 
communications,  was  to  endanger  their  salva- 
tion. 

The  mission  extraordinary  to  the  Lamanites 
at  length  started,  composed  of  Cowdery,  Pratt, 
Peterson,  and  Whitmer.  Under  the  direction 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      65 

of  Pratt,  they  had  no  difficulty  in  calling  on 
Rigdon  by  the  way.  Here  they  made  a  halt, 
and  "  professed  to  rejoice  at  finding  a  people 
walking  according  to  the  Scriptures." 

For  Rigdon  to  have  acknowledged  them  at 
once,  would  have  been  to  develop  the  plot  too 
soon.  He  must  needs  come  into  the  light  by 
degrees,  if  not  miraculously ;  wherefore,  on 
first  reading  the  Mormon  book,  like  a  sensible 
man,  he  pronounced  it  "  a  silly  fabrication." 

"  Near  his  residence,  in  Kirtland,  there  had  been, 
for  some  time  previous,  a  few  families  belonging  to 
his  congregation,  who  had  formed  themselves  into  a 
common-stock  society,  and  had  become  considerably 
fanatical,  and  were  daily  looking  for  some  wonderful 
event  to  take  place  in  the  world.  Their  minds  had 
become  fully  prepared  to  embrace  Mormonism,  or 
any  other  mysterious  ism  that  should  first  present  it- 
self. Seventeen  in  number,  of  these  persons,  readily 
believed  the  whole  story  of  Cowdery,  about  the  find- 
ing of  the  golden  plates  and  the  spectacles.  They 
were  all  reimmersed,  in  one  night,  by  Cowdery.  At 
this,  Rigdon  seemed  much  displeased,  and  when  the 
Mormons  came,  next  day,  to  his  house,  he  told  them 
that  what  they  had  done  was  entirely  without  prece- 
dent or  authority,  from  the  Scriptures — for  they  had 
immersed  those  persons  that  they  might  work  mira- 
cles, as  well  as  come  under  their  new  covenant — 
showed  them  that  the  apostles  baptized  for  the  remis- 
sion of  sins,  instead  of  miraculous  gifts.  But  when 
pressed  upon  the  point,  they  said  it  was  done  merely 
at  the  solicitation  of  those  persons.  Rigdon  called 
upon  them  for  proofs  of  the  truth  of  their  book  and 
mission  :  they  then  related  the  manner  in  which  they 
obtained  faith,  which  was  by  praying  for  a  sign,  and 
5 


66      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

an  angel  was  showed  unto  them.  Rigdon  here  show- 
ed them,  from  Scripture,  the  possibility  of  their  being 
deceived  ;  i  for  Satan  himself  is  transformed  into  an 
angel  of  light.'  '  But,'  said  Cowdery,  '  do  you  think 
if  I  should  go  to  my  heavenly  Father,  with  all  sin- 
cerity, and  pray  to  him,  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ, 
that  he  would  not  show  me  an  angel ;  that  he  would 
suffer  Satan  to  deceive  me  V  Rigdon  replied,  '  If  the 
heavenly  Father  has  ever  promised  to  show  you  an 
angel,  to  confirm  any  thing,  he  would  not  suffer  you 
to  be  deceived,  for,  says  John,  This  is  the  confidence 
we  have  with  him,  if  we  ask  things  according  to  his 
will,  he  hearkens  to  us.'  'But,'  he  continued,  '  if  you 
should  ask  the  heavenly  Father  to  show  you  an  an- 
gel, when  he  has  never  promised  you  such  a  thing, 
if  the  devil  never  had  an  opportunity  of  deceiving 
you  before,  you  give  him  one  now.' 

"  However,  about  two  days  after  this,  Rigdon  was 
persuaded  to  tempt  God,  by  asking  this  sign,  which 
he  knew  to  be  contrary  to  his  revealed  will :  he  of 
course  received  a  sign,  and  was  convinced  thatMor- 
monism  was  true  and  divine.  According  to  his  own 
reasoning,  therefore,  the  devil  appeared  to  him  as  an 
angel  of  light ;  but  he  now  imputed  his  former  rea- 
soning to  pride,  incredulity,  and  the  influence  of  the 
evil  one." 

Respecting  the  honesty  of  this  pretended 
conversion,  the  reader  is  now  prepared  to  judge, 
although  additional  light  will  be  thrown  upon  it 
by  subsequent  facts.  It  is  not  claimed  that  we 
have  any  thing  more  than  circumstantial  evi- 
dence to  prove  it  to  have  been  part  of  a  pre- 
concerted scheme,  but  it  is  claimed  that  such  a 
train  of  circumstances,  as  has  been  developed 
respecting  this  matter,  utters  a  testimony  infi- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      67 

nitely  more  credible  than  all  that  has  been 
affirmed  by  the  three  witnesses,  and  the  eight. 
Their  story  could  easily  have  been  fabricated. 
Mere  accident,  on  the  other  hand,  could  never 
have  linked  together  such  peculiar  circum- 
stances. They  are  so  manifest,  indeed,  that 
the  most  studied  caution  seems  to  have  been 
in  vain  used  to  mask  the  duplicity  of  the  trans- 
action. The  only  attempt  we  have  seen  to 
show  this  view  of  the  affair  incorrect,  is  from 
the  pen  of  P.  P.  Pratt  himself,  who  certainly 
ought  to  be  able  to  show  the  falsehood  of  what 
he  calls  "  the  Spalding  lie,"  if  a  lie  it  be.  We 
subjoin  his  own  words  : — "  For  the  sake  of  the 
honest  in  heart,  who  love  the  truth,  I  here  offer 
my  testimony  on  this  subject,  as  I  was  a  per- 
sonal actor  in  the  scenes  which  brought  S.  Rig- 
don  into  an  acquaintance  with  the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon, and  into  connection  with  the  church  of 
Latter-day  Saints."  He  here  proceeds  to  nar- 
rate the  circumstances  in  which  he  first  became 
acquainted  with  Rigdon,  and  a  believer  in,  and 
a  teacher  of,  the  same  doctrine — Campbellism. 
"  After  proclaiming  those  principles  in  my 
own  neighbourhood,  and  the  adjoining  country, 
I  at  length  took  a  journey  to  the  state  of  New- 
York,  partly  on  a  visit  to  Columbia  county,  and 
partly  for  the  purpose  of  administering  the 
word.  This  journey  was  undertaken  in  Aug., 
1830.  I  had  no  sooner  reached  Ontario  county, 
than  I  came  in  contact  with  the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon, which  had  then  been  published  about  six 
months,  and  had  gathered  about  fifty  disciples 


68      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

which  were  all  that  then  constituted  the  church 
of  Latter-day  Saints.  (That  name  was  not 
adopted  till  some  years  after.)  I  was  greatly 
prejudiced  against  the  book,  but  remembering 
the  caution  of  Paul,  '  Prove  all  things,  and  hold 
fast  that  which  is  good,'  I  sat  down  to  read  it, 
and  after  carefully  comparing  it  with  the  other 
Scriptures,  and  praying  to  God,  he  gave  me 
knowledge  of  its  truth,  by  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost ;  and  what  was  I,  that  I  should 
withstand  God  ?  I  accordingly  obeyed  the  or- 
dinances, and  was  commissioned  by  revelation, 
and  the  laying  on  of  hands,  to  preach  the  ful- 
ness of  the  gospel.  Then,  after  finishing  my 
visit  to  Columbia  county,  I  returned  to  the 
brethren  in  Ontario  county,  when,  for  the  first 
time,  I  saw  Mr.  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  who  had 
just  returned  from  Pennsylvania  to  his  father's 
house  in  Manchester.  About  the  15th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1830,  I  took  my  journey,  in  company 
with  Elder  O.  Cowdery  and  Peter  Whitmer,  to 
Ohio.  We  called  on  Elder  S.  Rigdon,  and 
then,  for  the  first  time,  his  eyes  beheld  the  Book 
of  Mormon.  I  myself  had  the  happiness  to 
present  it  to  him  in  person  (!)  He  was  much 
surprised,  and  it  was  with  much  persuasion  and 
argument  that  he  was  prevailed  on  to  read 

4«.  "***** 

"  Now  I  testify,  that  the  forgers  of  the  Spal- 
ding  lie  (concerning  S.  Rigdon  and  others)  are 
of  the  same  description  as  those  who  forged  the 
lie  against  the  disciples  of  old,  accusing  them 
of  stealing  the  body  of  Jesus.  And  those  who 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      69 

love  this  lie  are  no  better ;  and  except  they 
repent  they  will  have  their  part  with  drunk- 
ards, whoremongers,  sorcerers,  thieves,  mur- 
derers, &c.,  for  being  guilty  of  loving  and 
making  a  lie."  ***** 

In  remarking  upon  the  above  exposition,  for 
it  cannot  be  considered  a  refutation  of  the  views 
expressed  concerning  this  transaction,  one  can- 
not fail  to  observe  the  singularity  of  the  circum- 
stance, that  a  traveller,  merely  passing  through 
western  New-York,  should  come  in  contact 
with  the  then  little  company  of  Mormons,  who 
were  not  located  upon  either  of  the  great  tho- 
roughfares of  travel.  His  unceremonious  con- 
version, and  his  prompt  investment  with  the 
priesthood,  are  equally  remarkable.  It  is  not 
necessary  to  doubt  that  Rigdon's  eyes  first  be- 
held the  Book  of  Mormon  when  shown  him  by 
Pratt.  It  has  generally  been  supposed,  that 
having  arranged  the  manuscript  to  his  liking, 
he  transferred  the  task  of  copying  and  bringing 
it  through  the  press  entirely  to  Smith  and  Cow- 
dery.  Nor  is  this  view  of  the  case  even  con- 
tradicted, much  less  shown  to  be  false,  by  what 
Pratt  has  said. 

His  cruel  denunciation  of  those  who  love  the 
truth  so  well  as  to  give  their  credence  to  the 
complete  series  of  circumstantial  evidence  ex- 
hibited above,  rather  than  to  the  vague  and  un- 
satisfactory denial  of  one  who  must  either  have 
been  a  party  to  the  plot,  or  the  tool  of  its  exe- 
cution, could  only  have  been  called  for  by  the 
want  of  something  better  to  say.  It  is,  how- 


72      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

fanaticism.  One  of  these  aerial  commissions,  which 
they  all  supposed  was  signed  and  sealed  by  Christ 
himself,  we  here  subjoin,  verbatim. 

"  '  O  my  servant,  there  is  a  great  work  for  you  and 
the  other  two  of  your  brethren.  I  send  a  messenger 
to  tell  you  where  to  go  and  find  a  piece  of  parchment 
that  shall  contain  these  words  : — You  shall  teach  re- 
pentance and  remission  of  sins  to  all  who  shall  come 
in  the  sound  of  your  voice — I  command  you  that  you 
do  these  things  in  sincerity  and  in  truth ;  and  if  you 
do,  you  shall  be  blessed.  The  time  is  shortly  com- 
ing, and  is  not  far  distant,  when  you  shall  be  bound 
together  for  life  :  the  names  of  your  brethren  are 
these  :  Burr  Riggs  and  Edson  Fuller,  and  if  they  are 
not  faithful,  I  will  choose  another  in  their  stead — my 
work  must  be  done.  My  servants,  you  shall  go 
forth  from  place  to  place,  and  if  you  are  true  to  your 
trust,  they  shall  hear.  Remember  that  I  am  the 
Lord  your  God — serve  me  above  all  others,  and  I 
will  bless  you,  in  the  end.  Amen. 

"  '  That  that  you  had  a  messenger  tell  you  to  go  and 
get  the  other  night,  you  must  not  show  to  any  son  of 
Adam.  Obey  this,  and  I  will  stand  by  you  in  all 
cases  :  my  servants,  obey  my  commandments  in  all 
cases,  and  I  will  provide. 

C  Be  ye  always  ready,  1 

<  Be  ye  always  ready,  >  whenever  I  shall  call. 

f  Be  ye  always  ready,  )  My  seal 


"  '  There  shall  be  something  of  greater  importance 
revealed  when  I  shall  call  you  to  go  :  my  servants, 
be  faithful  over  a  few  things,  and  I  will  make  you  a 
ruler  over  many.  Amen,  Amen,  Amen.' 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      73 

"  These  commissions,  they  said,  came  on  parch- 
ment, and  they  had  only  time  to  copy  them,  before 
they  vanished  from  their  sight.  With  such  papers 
in  their  pockets,  they  actually  went  through  the 
country,  preaching,  and  made  many  converts.  Two 
of  the  three  afterward  obtained  their  reason,  and  left 
the  concern.  All  these  things  were  afterward  pro- 
nounced by  Smith  to  be  the  work  of  the  devil,  al- 
though more  than  one  hundred  had  been  converted 
to  Mormonism,  by  merely  witnessing  the  exhibitions. 
They  professed,  at  all  times,  their  inability  to  work 
miracles,  but  were  secretly  trying  to  perform  them, 
and  frequently  proclaimed  their  success.  At  a  dis- 
tance from  the  scene  of  action,  many  notable  mira- 
cles were  circulated." 

Meantime  Rigdon  had  gone  to  what  Mr. 
Howe  denominates  the  Bible  quarry,  in  order 
to  have  an  interview  with  the  prophet.  A  joy- 
ful one  it  must  have  been,  now  that  the  leaven 
began  to  work,  and  the  speculation  to  prosper. 
At  any  rate,  within  about  a  month  from  the  time 
Cowdery  and  party  had  appeared  in  Ohio,  a 
revelation  came  out  in  Manchester,  coupling 
Rigdon  with  Smith,  as  another  chosen  vessel. 
Thus  it  appears,  that  a  man  long  known  as  a 
preacher  of  some  distinction,  in  his  order,  who 
had,  moreover,  spent  three  years  in  the  exclu- 
sive study  of  the  Scriptures  (?)  now,  in  the 
course  of  a  few  weeks,  has  surrendered  him- 
self up,  without  any  pretence  of  sufficient  rea- 
son, to  a  system  opposed  to  Christianity,  and 
entirely  subversive  of  its  principles.  We  ap- 
peal to  the  world  to  decide  whether  this  defec- 
tion is  most  naturally  chargeable  upon  the 


72      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

fanaticism.  One  of  these  aerial  commissions,  which 
they  all  supposed  was  signed  and  sealed  by  Christ 
himself,  we  here  subjoin,  verbatim. 

"  '  O  my  servant,  there  is  a  great  work  for  you  and 
the  other  two  of  your  brethren.  I  send  a  messenger 
to  tell  you  where  to  go  and  find  a  piece  of  parchment 
that  shall  contain  these  words  : — You  shall  teach  re- 
pentance and  remission  of  sins  to  all  who  shall  come 
in  the  sound  of  your  voice — I  command  you  that  you 
do  these  things  in  sincerity  and  in  truth ;  and  if  you 
do,  you  shall  be  blessed.  The  time  is  shortly  com- 
ing, and  is  not  far  distant,  when  you  shall  be  bound 
together  for  life  :  the  names  of  your  brethren  are 
these  :  Burr  Riggs  and  Edson  Fuller,  and  if  they  are 
not  faithful,  I  will  choose  another  in  their  stead — my 
work  must  be  done.  My  servants,  you  shall  go 
forth  from  place  to  place,  and  if  you  are  true  to  your 
trust,  they  shall  hear.  Remember  that  I  am  the 
Lord  your  God — serve  me  above  all  others,  and  I 
will  bless  you,  in  the  end.  Amen. 

"  '  That  that  you  had  a  messenger  tell  you  to  go  and 
get  the  other  night,  you  must  not  show  to  any  son  of 
Adam.  Obey  this,  and  I  will  stand  by  you  in  all 
cases  :  my  servants,  obey  my  commandments  in  all 
cases,  and  I  will  provide. 


C  Be  ye  always  ready,  } 
<  Be  ye  always  ready,  > 
f  Be  ye  always  ready,  j 


whenever  I  shall  call. 
My  seal 


"  l  There  shall  be  something  of  greater  importance 
revealed  when  I  shall  call  you  to  go  :  my  servants, 
be  faithful  over  a  few  things,  and  I  will  make  you  a 
ruler  over  many.  Amen,  Amen,  Amen.' 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      73 

"  These  commissions,  they  said,  came  on  parch- 
ment, and  they  had  only  time  to  copy  them,  before 
they  vanished  from  their  sight.  With  such  papers 
in  their  pockets,  they  actually  went  through  the 
country,  preaching,  and  made  many  converts.  Two 
of  the  three  afterward  obtained  their  reason,  and  left 
the  concern.  All  these  things  were  afterward  pro- 
nounced by  Smith  to  be  the  work  of  the  devil,  al- 
though more  than  one  hundred  had  been  converted 
to  Mormonism,  by  merely  witnessing  the  exhibitions. 
They  professed,  at  all  times,  their  inability  to  work 
miracles,  but  were  secretly  trying  to  perform  them, 
and  frequently  proclaimed  their  success.  At  a  dis- 
tance from  the  scene  of  action,  many  notable  mira- 
cles were  circulated." 

Meantime  Rigdon  had  gone  to  what  Mr. 
Howe  denominates  the  Bible  quarry,  in  order 
to  have  an  interview  with  the  prophet.  A  joy- 
ful one  it  must  have  been,  now  that  the  leaven 
began  to  work,  and  the  speculation  to  prosper. 
At  any  rate,  within  about  a  month  from  the  time 
Cowdery  and  party  had  appeared  in  Ohio,  a 
revelation  came  out  in  Manchester,  coupling 
Rigdon  with  Smith,  as  another  chosen  vessel. 
Thus  it  appears,  that  a  man  long  known  as  a 
preacher  of  some  distinction,  in  his  order,  who 
had,  moreover,  spent  three  years  in  the  exclu- 
sive study  of  the  Scriptures  (?)  now,  in  the 
course  of  a  few  weeks,  has  surrendered  him- 
self up,  without,  any  pretence  of  sufficient  rea- 
son, to  a  system  opposed  to  Christianity,  and 
entirely  subversive  of  its  principles.  We  ap- 
peal to  the  world  to  decide  whether  this  defec- 
tion is  most  naturally  chargeable  upon  the 


74     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

intellect,  or  the  heart.  In  copying  the  follow- 
ing, we  have  italicized  a  few  words,  the  truth 
and  beauty  of  which  will  be  still  more  apparent 
hereafter. 

"  A  commandment  to  Joseph  and  Sidney,  Dec.  7, 
1830  :  saying,  Listen  to  the  voice  of  the  Lord  your 
God  :  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the 
end,  whose  course  is  one  eternal  round  ;  the  same 
to-day  as  yesterday,  and  for  ever.  I  am  Jesus 
Christ,  was  crucified  for  the  sins  of  the  world,  even 
as  many  as  will  believe  on  my  name,  that  they  may 
become  the  sons  of  God,  even  on  me  as  I  am  in  the 
Father,  as  the  Father  is  in  me,  that  we  may  become 
one.  Behold,  verily,  verily  I  say  unto  my  servant 
Sidney,  I  have  looked  upon  thee  and  thy  works ;  I 
have  heard  thy  prayers,  and  prepared  thee  for  a 
greater  work — thou  art  blessed,  for  thou  shalt  do 
great  things.  Behold,  thou  wast  sent  forth,  even  as 
John,  to  prepare  the  way  before  me  and  Elijah  which 
should  come,  and  thou  knewest  it  not  :  thou  didst 
baptize  by  water  unto  repentance,  but  they  secured 
not  the  Holy  Ghost ;  but  now  I  give  unto  you  a  com- 
mandment, that  thou  shalt  baptize  by  water,  and  give 
the  Holy  Ghost  by  laying  on  of  hands,  even  as  the 
apostles  of  old.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  there 
shall  be  a  great  work  in  the  land,  even  among  the 
Gentiles,  for  their  folly  and  their  abominations  shall 
be  made  manifest  in  the  eyes  of  all  nations  ;  for  I  am 
God,  and  mine  arm  is  not  shortened  :  and  I  will  shew 
miracles,  signs,  and  wonders,  unto  all  those  who  be- 
lieve on  my  name  ;  and  whosoever  shall  ask,  in  my 
name,  in  faith,  shall  cast  out  devils,  they  shall  heal 
the  sick,  they  shall  cause  the  blind  to  receive  their 
sight,  and  the  deaf  to  hear,  and  the  dumb  to  speak, 
and  the  lame  to  walk  :  and  the  time  speedily  cometh 
that  great  things  are  to  come  and  be  shown  forth 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      75 

unto  the  children  of  men  ;  but  without  shall  nothing 
be  shown  forth  except  desolation  and  destruction  upon 
Babylon,  the  same  which  hath  made  all  nations  drink 
of  the  wine  of  their  fornication,  and  there  is  none  that 
doeth  good,  except  them  that  are  trying  to  receive 
the  fulness  of  my  gospel,  which  I  have  sent  forth  to 
this  generation.  Wherefore,  I  have  called  upon  the 
weak  things,  that  they  are  unlearned  and  despised, 
to  thresh  the  nations  by  the  power  of  my  Spirit,  and 
their  arm  shall  be  my  arm,  and  I  will  be  their  shield 
and  their  buckler  ;  I  will  gird  up  their  loins,  and  they 
shall  fight  manfully  for  me,  and  their  enemies  shall 
be  put  under  their  feet ;  and  I  will  let  fall  the  sivord 
in  their  behalf,  and  by  the  fire  of  mine  indignation 
will  I  preserve  them,  and  the  poor  and  the  meek  shall 
have  the  gospel  preached  to  them,  and  they  shall  be 
looking  forth  to  the  time  of  my  coming,  for  it  is  nigh 
at  hand  ;  and  they  shall  learn  the  parable  of  the  fig- 
tree,  for  even  now,  already,  summer  is  nigh  at  hand, 
and  I  have  sent  forth  the  fulness  of  my  gospel  by  the 
hand  of  my  servant  Joseph,  and  in  meekness  have  I 
blessed  him  ;  and  I  have  given  unto  him  the  keys  of 
the  mysteries  of  those  things  which  have  been  seal- 
ed, even  things  which  have  been  from  the  founda- 
tion of  the  world,  and  the  things  which  shall  come 
from  this  time  till  the  end  of  my  coming,  if  he  abide 
in  me  ;  and  if  not,  another  will  I  plant  in  his  stead  : 
wherefore,  watch  over  him,  that  his  faith  fail  not ;  as 
it  shall  be  given  by  the  Comforter,  the  Holy  Ghost, 
which  knoweth  all  things.  And  a  commandment  I 
give  unto  you,  that  thou  shalt  write  for  him,  and  the 
Scriptures  shall  be  given,  even  as  they  are  in  my 
own  bosom,  to  the  salvation  of  mine  own  elect,  for 
they  will  hear  my  voice,  and  shall  see  me,  and  shall 
not  be  asleep,  and  shall  abide  the  day  of  my  coming, 
for  iney  be  prepared,  even  as  I  am  prepared  ;  and 
now,  I  say  unto  you,  tarry  with  him,  and  he  shall 


76      MORMON  ISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

journey  with  thee  :  forsake  him  not,  and  surely  these 
things  shall  he  fulfilled  :  and  inasmuch  as  ye  do  not 
write,  behold,  it  shall  be  given  unto  him  to  prophesy, 
and  thou  shalt  preach  my  gospel,  and  call  on  the  holy 
prophets  to  prove  his  words  as  they  shall  be  given 
him.  Keep  all  the  commandments  and  covenants 
by  which  ye  are  bound,  and  I  will  cause  the  heavens 
to  shake  for  your  good,  and  Satan  shall  tremble,  and 
Zion  shall  rejoice  upon  the  hills,  and  flourish ;  and 
Israel  shall  be  saved  in  mine  own  due  time,  and  by 
the  keys  which  I  have  given  shall  be  led  and  no 
more  be  confounded.  Lift  up  your  hearts  and  be 
glad,  for  your  redemption  is  nigh.  Fear  not,  little 
flock,  the  kingdom  is  yours  until  I  come.  Behold,  I 
come  quickly,  even  so.  Amen." 

It  makes  the  heart  shudder  to  contemplate 
the  blasphemy,  and  the  purposed  wickedness 
of  such  attempts  to  counterfeit  the  voice  and 
word  of  God,  for  the  low  and  sole  purpose  of 
deceiving  the  ignorant.  These  pretended  re- 
velations, however,  were  only  an  introduction 
to  the  series  of  incredible  iniquities  which,  in 
a  similar  category,  have  come  down  to  the  pre- 
sent. What  man  in  his  senses  can,  for  one 
moment,  entertain  the  comparison  of  Mormon- 
ism  with  Christianity  ?  For  what  communion 
hath  Christ  with  Belial  ? 

"  Their  plans  of  deception  appear  to  have  been 
more  fully  matured  and  developed  after  the  meeting 
of  Smith  and  Rigdon.  The  latter  being  found  very 
intimate  with  the  Scriptures,  a  close  reasoner,  and 
as  fully  competent  to  make  white  appear  black,  and 
black  white,  as  any  other  man  ;  and  at  all  times  pre- 
pared to  establish,  to  the  satisfaction  of  great  num- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      77 

bers  of  people,  the  negative  or  affirmative,  of  any  and 
every  question,  from  Scripture-,  he  was  forthwith 
appointed  to  promulgate  all  the  absurdities  and  ridi- 
culous pretensions  of  Mormonism,  '  and  call  on  the 
holy  prophets  to  prove'  all  the  words  of  Smith.  But 
the  miraculous  powers  conferred  upon  him,  we  do  not 
learn  have  yet  been  put  in  requisition.  It  seems  that 
the  Spirit  had  not,  before  the  arrival  of  Rigdon,  told 
Smith  any  thing  about  the  '  promised  land,'  or  his 
removal  to  Ohio.  It  is,  therefore,  very  questionable 
4  what  manner  of  spirit'  it  was  which  dictated  most 
of  the  after  movements  of  the  prophet.  The  spirit 
of  Rigdon,  it  must  be  presumed,  however,  generally 
held  sway  ;  for  a  revelation  was  soon  had,  that  Kirt- 
land,  the  residence  of  Rigdon  and  his  brethren,  was 
to  be  the  eastern  border  of  the  *  promised  land,' '  and 
from  thence  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.'  On  this  land  the 
'  New  Jerusalem,  the  city  of  refuge,'  was  to  be  built. 
Upon  it  all  true  Mormons  were  to  assemble,  to  es- 
cape the  destruction  of  the  world,  which  was  so  soon 
to  take  place." 

Progress  was  soon  reported  by  Rigdon,  in 
the  following  communication  addressed  to  his 
brethren  in  Ohio, 

"  I  send  you  this  letter  by  John  Whitmer.  Re- 
ceive him,  for  he  is  a  brother  greatly  beloved,  and  an 
apostle  of  this  church.  With  him  we  send  all  the 
revelations  which  we  have  received  ;  for  the  Lord 
has  declared  unto  us  that  you  pray  unto  him  that  Jo- 
seph Smith  and  myself  go  speedily  unto  you  ;  but  at 
present  it  is  not  expedient  for  him  to  send  us.  He 
has  required  of  us,  therefore,  to  send  unto  you  our 
beloved  brother  John,  and  with  him  the  revelations 
which  he  has  given  unto  us,  by  which  you  will  see 
the  reason  why  we  cannot  come  at  this  time.  The 
Lord  has  made  known  unto  us  some  of  his  great  things 


78      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

which  he  has  laid  up  for  them  that  love  him,  among 
which  the  fact  (a  glory  of  wonders  it  is)  that  you  are 
living  on  the  land  of  promise,  and  that  there  is  the 
place  of  gathering,  and  from  that  place  to  the  Pacific 
Ocean,  God  has  declared  to  himself,  not  only  in  time, 
but  through  eternity,  and  he  has  given  it  to  us  and 
our  children,  not  only  while  time  lasts,  but  we  shall 
have  it  again  in  eternity,  as  you  will  see  by  one  of 
the  commandments,  received  day  before  yesterday. 
Therefore,  be  it  known  to  you,  brethren,  that  you  are 
dwelling  on  your  eternal  inheritance ;  for  which, 
cease  not  to  give  ceaseless  glory,  praise,  and  thanks- 
giving to  the  God  of  heaven.  Yes,  lift  up  your  heads 
with  joy,  for  the  kingdom  is  ours  till  the  Saviour 
comes,  even  so,  Amen — therefore  prepare  your  hearts 
to  receive  salvation  which  God  has  sent  unto  you, 
knowing  that  they  have  come  from  God  ;  and  know 
assuredly,  if  you  receive  them,  you  shall  receive 
greater  things,  yes,  things  unspeakable  and  full  of 
glory — '  such  as  eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard, 
neither  hath  it  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  to  con- 
ceive,' for  our  God  hath  in  visions  shown  it  unto  me. 
Therefore,  I  write  with  the  greatest  certainty  of 
these  things  which  he  hath  prepared  for  us — yes, 
even  us,  for  ever,  who  receive  the  revelations  of  the 
last  days,  are  the  very  people  of  whom  the  prophets 
spoke,  and  the  very  saints  who  shall  rejoice  with 
Jesus  ! ! !" 

"  This  communication  caused  a  great  rejoicing  in 
the  congregation.  They  were  then  residing  upon 
their  '  eternal  inheritance  ! ! !'  Rigdon  tarried  with 
Smith  about  two  months,  receiving  revelations, 
preaching  in  that  vicinity,  and  proving,  by  the  pro- 
phets, that  Mormoriism  was  true,  as  he  imagined. 
He  then  returned  to  Kirtland,  Ohio,  being  followed, 
in  a  few  days  after,  by  the  prophet  and  his  connec- 
tions. This  being  the  '  promised  land,'  in  it  their  Ions:- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      79 

cherished  hopes  and  anticipations  of  *  living  without 
work'  were  to  be  realized.  Thus,  from  almost  a 
state  of  beggary,  the  family  of  Smiths  were  imme- 
diately well  furnished  with  the  'fat  of  the  land' 
•by  their  fanatical  followers,  many  of  whom  were 
wealthy." 

The  fame  of  Rigdon's  conversion  now  spread 
far  and  wide.  His  friends  and  acquaintances 
flocked  to  see  and  to  hear  the  wonders  from 
his  own  lips.  The  following  facts,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  one  who  witnessed  them,  are  sub- 
joined, to  show  what  manner  of  spirit  he  pos- 
sessed, as  well  as  his  reasons  for  the  new 
faith. 

"  Mr.  Rigdon  having  returned  from  the  state  of 
New- York,  two  friends  from  Mentor  going  to  see 
him,  required  of  him  a  reason  for  his  present  hope, 
and  for  his  belief  in  the  Book  of  Mormon.  He  de- 
clined, saying  he  was  weary,  having  just  come  off 
his  journey,  had  lost  much  sleep,  and  the  like.  After 
a  number  of  words  had  passed,  by  way  of  solicitation 
on  one  side,  and  refusal  on  the  other,  one  of  the 
friends  from  Mentor  said  he  thought  there  was  no 
more  evidence  to  confirm  the  Book  of  Mormon,  than 
the  Koran  of  Mohammed.  At  this  Mr.  R.  seemed 
very  angry,  rose  up,  and  said,  '  Sir,  you  have  insult- 
ed me  in  my  own  house — I  command  silence — if 
people  come  to  see  us,  and  cannot  treat  us  with  civi- 
lity, they  may  walk  out  of  the  door  as  soon  as  they 
please.'  The  person  then  made  some  apology.  Mr. 
R.  said  he  had  borne  every  thing ;  he  had  been  in- 
sulted and  trampled  upon,  by  old  and  young,  and  he 
would  bear  it  no  longer.  The  two  friends  then  de- 
parted. Two  days  after,  I  accompanied  several 
friends  to  Mr.  R.'s  residence,  and  found  him  in  con- 


80      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

versation  with  a  Methodist  elder.  That  being  soon 
broken  off,  one  of  my  friends  modestly  approached 
Mr.  R.,  and  solicited  him  to  give  some  reason  for  his 
present  faith.  Mr.  R.,  with  great  show  of  good  na- 
ture, commenced  a  long  detail  of  his  researches  after 
the  character  of  Joseph  Smith, — he  declared  that 
even  his  enemies  had  nothing  to  say  against  his  cha- 
racter ;  he  had  brought  a  transcript  from  the  dockets 
of  two  magistrates,  where  Smith  had  been  tried  as  a 
disturber  of  the  peace,  which  testified  that  he  was 
honourably  acquitted.  But  this  was  no  evidence  to 
us  that  the  Book  of  Mormon  was  divine.  He  then 
spoke  of  the  supernatural  gifts  with  which  he  said 
Smith  was  endowed ;  he  said  he  could  translate  the 
Scriptures  from  any  language  in  which  they  were  now 
extant,  and  could  lay  his  finger  upon  every  interpola- 
tion in  the  sacred  writings ;  adding,  that  he  had  proven 
him  in  all  these  things.  But  my  friend,  knowing 
that  Mr.  Rigdon  had  no  knowledge  of  any  language 
but  his  own  vernacular  tongue,  asked  him  how  he 
knew  these  things,  to  which  Mr.  R.  made  no  direct 
reply. 

"  Mr.  Smith  arrived  at  Kirtland  the  next  day,  and 
being  examined  concerning  his  supernatural  gifts,  by 
a  scholar,  who  was  capable  of  testing  his  knowledge, 
he  confessed  he  knew  nothing  of  any  language,  save 
the  king's  English. 

"  We  then  asked  Mr.  R.  what  object  we  could 
have,  in  receiving  the  Book  of  Mormon — whether  it 
enjoined  a  single  virtue  that  the  Bible  did  not,  or 
whether  it  mentioned  or  prohibited  a  single  additional 
vice,  or  whether  it  exhibited  a  new  attribute  of  De- 
ity ]  He  said  it  did  not.  '  The  Book  of  Mormon,' 
said  he,  '  is  to  form  and  govern  the  millennial  church ; 
the  old  revelation  was  never  calculated  for  that,  nor 
would  it  accomplish  that  object ;  and  without  receiv- 
ing the  Book  of  Mormon,  there  is  no  salvation  fo* 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      81 

any  one  into  whose  hands  it  shall  come.'  He  said 
faith  in  the  Book  of  Mormon  was  only  to  be  obtained 
by  asking  the  Lord  concerning  it.  To  this,  Scrip- 
tural objections  were  made.  He  then  said,  if  we  have 
not  familiarity  enough  with  our  Creator  to  ask  of  him 
a  sign,  we  were  no  Christians  ;  and  that  if  God  would 
not  condescend  to  his  creatures,  in  this  way,  he  was 
no  letter  than  Juggernaut  I !  /" 

Mr.  Howe  adds, — 

"  From  this  point  in  the  history  of  this  delusion,  it 
began  to  spread  with  considerable  rapidity.  Nearly 
all  of  their  male  converts,  however  ignorant  and 
worthless,  were  forthwith  transformed  into  *  elders,' 
and  sent  forth  to  proclaim,  with  all  their  wild  enthu- 
siasm, the  wonders  and  mysteries  of  Mormonism. 
All  those  having  a  taste  for  the  marvellous,  and  de- 
lighting in  novelties,  flocked  to  hear  them.  Many 
travelled  fifty  and  a  hundred  miles  to  the  throne  of 
the  prophet,  in  Kirtland,  to  hear  from  his  own  mouth 
the  certainty  of  his  excavating  a  Bible  and  specta- 
cles. Many,  even  in  the  New- England  states,  after 
hearing  the  frantic  story  of  some  of  these  i  elders,' 
would  forthwith  place  their  all  into  a  wagon,  and 
wend  their  way  to  the  '  promised  land,'  in  order,  as 
they  supposed,  to  escape  the  judgments  of  heaven 
which  were  soon  to  be  poured  out  upon  the  land. 
The  state  of  New- York,  they  were  privately  told, 
would  most  probably  be  sunk,  unless  the  people  there- 
of believed  in  the  pretensions  of  Smith." 

The  fears  excited  by  these  alarming  fictions, 
and  kept  alive  by  the  "  madness  of  the  pro- 
phets," conspired  chiefly  to  promote  the  early 
advancement  of  Mormonism.  Thus  the  ety- 
mological signification  of  that  term  was  fully 
illustrated.  So  far  as  our  knowledge  extends, 


82      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

the  Greek  was  the  only  language  in  which  the 
word  Mormon  had  any  existence,  previous  to 
the  origin  of  the  system  we  are  discussing. 
Whether  the  author  of  the  "  Manuscript  Found" 
selected  the  word  for  its  intrinsic  appropriate- 
ness, or  whether  it  was  a  chance  hit  of  his 
posthumous  editors,  matters  not. 

In  Donnegan's  Lexicon  may  be  found  Mop- 
jj,(*)v,  poppovoc;,  with  this  definition,  "  A  hideous 
female  spectre  ;  a  phantom — something  used 
to  frighten  children,  &c."  Another  diction- 
ary defines  it,  "  Bug-bear,  hobgoblin,  bloody 
bones,  &c." 

What  more  fitting  term  could  have  been 
chosen,  either  for  the  book,  or  for  the  measures 
by  which  the  system  was  promulgated  !  The 
writer  recollects,  during  the  winter  of  1832  and 
1833,  to  have  heard,  from  one  of  these  fanatics, 
the  assertion,  that  within  three  years  from  that 
time  the  whole  of  western  New- York  would  be 
deluged  in  blood.  By  means  of  this  frightful 
bug-bear,  the  individual  in  question  was  endea- 
vouring to  frighten  his  kindred  into  an  imme- 
diate removal  to  the  land  of  promise. 

That  such  endeavours  were  often  successful, 
is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  when  we  consider 
how  often  reason  is  dethroned  by  terror.  Indi- 
viduals, however,  who  had  taken  one  step,  were 
obliged  to  continue  on,  or  become  obnoxious  to 
the  maledictions  of  their  blind  guides.  They 
could  seldom  be  expected  to  possess  sufficient 
moral  courage  to  endure  the  mortification  of  re- 
treat. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      83 

As  further  specimens  of  these  false  and  fright- 
ful, or  Mormon  prophesies,  we  subjoin  two, 
written  by  Harris,  and  preserved  by  a  friend 
of  his. 

"  Within  four  years  from  September,  1832,  there 
will  not  be  one  wicked  person  left  in  the  United 
States  ;  that  the  righteous  will  be  gathered  to  Zion, 
[Missouri,]  and  that  there  will  be  no  president  over 
these  United  States  after  that  time. 

"  MARTIN  HARRIS. 

"  I  do  hereby  assert  and  declare,  that  in  four  years 
from  the  date  hereof,  every  sectarian  and  religious 
denomination  in  the  United  States  shall  be  broken 
down,  and  every  Christian  shall  be  gathered  unto  the 
Mormonites,  and  the  rest  of  the  human  race  shall 
perish.  If  these  things  do  not  take  place,  I  will 
hereby  consent  to  have  my  hand  separated  from  my 
body.  MARTIN  HARRIS." 

The  rumour  that  these  saints  had  all  things 
"  in  common,"  appears,  furthermore,  to  have 
exerted  a  powerful  influence  over  many. 
Wherever  such  a  rumour  originated,  Mormon- 
ism  is  indebted  to  it  for  numbers  of  its  early 
converts.  These  persons,  having  made  a  long 
pilgrimage,  with  a  view  to  "  bettering  their  con- 
dition," found,  to  their  sorrow,  that  the  burden 
of  all  revelations,  on  this  subject,  fell  upon  the 
many,  for  the  benefit  of  a  few.  As  a  sufficient 
explanation  of  the  common-stock  principles 
held  and  practised  among  the  Mormons,  we 
insert  the  following  official  document. 

"  If  thou  lovest  rne,  thou  shalt  serve  me  and  keep 
my  commandments ;  and  behold,  thou  shalt  conse- 


84      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

crate  all  thy  properties,  that  which  thou  hast,  unto 
me,  with  a  covenant  and  a  deed  which  cannot  be 
broken  ;  and  they  shall  be  laid  before  the  bishop  of 
my  church,  and  two  of  the  elders,  such  as  he  shall 
appoint  and  set  apart  for  that  purpose.  And  it  shall 
come  to  pass,  that  the  bishop  of  my  church,  after  that 
he  has  received  the  properties  of  my  church,  that  it 
cannot  be  taken  from  the  church,  he  shall  appoint 
every  man  a  steward  over  his  own  property,  or  that 
which  he  has  received,  inasmuch  as  shall  be  sufficient 
for  himself  and  family  ;  and  the  residue  shall  be  kept 
to  administer  to  him  who  has  not,  that  every  man 
may  receive  according  as  he  stands  in  need  ;  and  the 
residue  shall  be  kept  in  my  store-house,  to  adminis- 
ter to  the  poor  and  needy,  as  shall  be  appointed  by 
he  elders  of  the  church,  and  bishop,  and  for  the  pur- 
oose  of  purchasing  land,  and  the  building  up  of  the 
New  Jerusalem,  which  is  hereafter  to  be  revealed  ; 
that  my  covenant  people  may  be  gathered  in  one, 
in  the  day  that  I  shall  come  to  my  temple  ;  and  this 
T  do  for  the  salvation  of  my  people.  And  it  shall 
come  to  pass,  that  he  that  sinneth  and  repenteth  not, 
shall  be  cast  out,  and  shall  not  receive  again  that 
which  he  has  consecrated  unto  me :  for  it  shall  come 
to  pass,  that  which  I  spoke  by  the  mouths  of  my  pro- 
phets shall  be  fulfilled,  for  I  wdll  consecrate  the  riches 
of  the  Gentiles  unto  my  people,  which  are  of  the 
house  of  Israel." 

Mr.  Corrill  remarks  on  this  subject :  "  Much 
has  been  said,  and  great  exertions  have  been 
used  at  times,  to  inspire  the  members  of  the 
church  with  a  spirit  of  consecration  and  volun- 
tary offering.  Some  have  thus  been  led  to  give 
up  all,  while  others  have  been  backward,  which 
has  caused  the  leaders  at  times  to  resort  to  other 
means  of  obtaining  money  to  carry  on  their 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      85 

operations.  From  some  they  would  borrow, 
promising  to  pay  again  ;  others  they  would 
stimulate  to  liberality,  by  promising  them  bless- 
ings and  prosperity,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
in  their  future  business  and  prospects.  Thus 
many,  from  time  to  time,  have  lost  their  pro- 
perty and  become  dissatisfied,  until  a  great 
many  have  lost  confidence  in  their  leaders." 

We  have  deemed  it  necessary  to  dwell  some- 
what upon  the  incipient  stages  of  this  delusion, 
in  order  to  exhibit  its  original  and  intrinsic  cha- 
racter. 

Having  now  arrived  at  a  period,  subsequent 
to  which  its  operations  became  more  generally 
known,  our  sketches  will  be  more  brief.  We 
shall,  however,  pause  occasionally  to  exhibit 
some  internal  evidences  of  the  fanaticism  and 
the  imposture,  in  the  words  of  those  who  had 
been  the  victims  of  one  or  both. 

It  appears,  that  by  1833,  the  numerous  fail- 
ures at  guessing  right,  in  the  shape  of  prophe- 
cies, had  become  so  disheartening  to  the  faithful, 
and  so  disgusting  to  the  Gentiles,  as  to  render 
some  new  device  necessary.  Hence  the  gift 
of  tongues,  which,  on  a  previous  occasion,  had 
been  denounced  as  a  work  of  the  devil,  was 
now  officially  resumed.  Respecting  the  modus 
ope^andi  of  this  gift,  we  have  the  following  par- 
ticulars, published  by  a  Mr.  Higby,  who  was 
eight  months  an  elder  of  the  Mormon  church. 
Soon  after  joining  the  Mormons,  an  elder  said 
to  him,  "  You  must  go  to  work  in  the  vineyard 
ot  the  Lord,  as  a  preacher  of  the  gospel.  I 


86      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

have  viewed  your  heart  by  the  spirit  of  dis- 
cernment :  I  see  what  is  in  your  heart,  and 
what  the  will  of  the  Lord  is  concerning  you." 

Having  been  accordingly  ordained,  Mr.  H.  says, 
"  About  the  10th  of  April  following,  R.  Gaboon  and 
D.  Patton  came  again  to  the  place — a  meeting  was 
called,  and,  previous  to  the  meeting,  they  said  that 
some  one  would  speak  with  tongues  before  they  left 
the  place.  Accordingly,  the  latter  set  himself  to  work 
at  that  meeting  to  verify  his  prophecy.  During  the 
meeting  he  said,  '  Father  H.,  if  you  will  rise  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ,  you  can  speak  in  tongues.' 
He  arose  immediately,  hesitated,  and  said, l  My  faith 
fails  me — I  have  not  faith  enough.'  Said  Patton, 
*  You  have — speak  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ — 
make  some  sound  as  you  list,  without  further  thought, 
and  God  will  make  it  a  language.'  The  old  gentle- 
man, after  considerable  urging,  spoke,  and  made  some 
sounds,  which  were  pronounced  to  be  a  correct 
tongue.  Several  others  spoke  in  a  similar  manner, 
and  among  them  was  myself.  I  spoke  as  I  listed, 
not  knowing  what  I  said,  yet  it  was  declared  to  be  a 
tongue.  The  sound  of  the  words  used  by  some,  in 
speaking  in  tongues,  was  a  medium  between  talking 
and  singing — and  all,  as  I  am  now  convinced,  a  mere 
gibberish,  spoken  at  random,  and  without  thought. 

"  We  had  another  meeting  shortly  after,  at  which 
there  were  present  several  others,  besides  those  of 
the  church.  Gaboon  spoke  in  unknown  tongues,  as 
he  pretended,  going  on  at  considerable  length,  which 
Patton  interpreted.  He  then  asked  me  to  speak, 
which  I  did,  and  he  interpreted  as  he  thought  proper. 

"  The  next  time  those  men  came  among  us,  they 
gave  us  a  rule  for  speaking  in  unknown  tongues,  and 
also  4or  interpreting  what  was  spoken  by  others. 
This  rule,  they  said,  was  perfect — that  as  long  as  \ve 


MORMONISM  AND  fHE  MORMONS.      87 

followed  it  we  could  not  err.  And  so  I  believe  ;  it 
was  a  perfect  rule  to  lead  men  astray.  The  rule,  as 
given  by  Cahoon,  is  this  :  rise  upon  your  feet,  and 
look  and  lean  on  Christ ;  speak  or  make  some  sound  ; 
continue  to  make  sounds  of  some  kind,  and  the  Lord 
will  make  a  correct  tongue  or  language  of  it.  The 
interpretation  was  to  be  given  in  the  same  way. 

"  Upon  this  Mr.  H.  justly  remarks  : — '  Men  of  sense 
may  smile  at  this  recital ;  and  those  who  scoff  at  all 
religion,  and  know  nothing  of  those  feelings  of  the 
human  heart  which  the  devotional  man  enjoys,  in  con- 
verse with  his  Maker,  will  doubtless  ridicule  what 
they  consider  the  weakness  of  folly  :  but  the  man  of 
religious  feeling  will  know  how  to  pity,  rather  than 
upbraid,  that  zeal  without  knowledge  which  leads  ? 
man  to  fancy  that  he  has  found  the  ladder  of  Jacob, 
and  that  he  sees  the  angel  of  the  Lord  ascending  and 
descending  before  his  eyes  :  while  the  Christian  phi- 
losopher, who  has  read  the  history  of  mankind,  will 
find  abundant  apology  for  that  man,  who,  by  a  con- 
stant and  over-anxious  exercise  of  mind,  is  led  at 
length  to  fancy  himself  on  the  banks  of  the  Ulai  with 
Daniel,  or  on  the  Isle  of  Patmos  with  St.  John.' 

"  They  would  frequently  sing  in  this  gibberish, 
forming  a  tune  as  they  proceeded.  The  same  songs, 
they  said,  would  be  sung  when  the  lost  tribes  appear- 
ed in  Zion,  in  Missouri. 

"  Another  seceder  from  this  delusion  relates,  that 
he  was  present,  on  a  certain  occasion,  in  an  upper 
room  in  Kirtland,  where  were  assembled  from  fifteen 
to  twenty  elders  and  high  priests.  After  sundry  ex- 
hortations by  the  priests,  the  prophet  himself  arose, 
and,  with  much  earnestness,  warned  his  followers  to 
be  zealous  and  faithful  in  their  duties,  saying,  '  It  is 
our  privilege  to  see  God  face  to  face — yes,  says  he, 
I  will  prophesy  unto  you,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
that  the  day  will  come  when  no  man  will  be  permit- 


88      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

ted  to  preach,  unless  he  has  seen  the  Lord :  people 
will  ask  each  teacher,  '  Have  you  seen  the  face  of 
the  Lord  V  and  if  he  say  nay,  they  will  say,  '  Away 
with  this  fellow,  for  we  will  have  a  man  to  teach  us 
that  has  seen  the  face  of  the  Lord.'  After  a  short 
pause,  he  added,  '  The  Lord  is  willing  we  should  see 
his  glory  to-day,  and  all  that  will  exercise  faith,  shall 
see  the  Lord  of  glory.'  They  then  concluded  to 
spend  the  day  in  fasting  and  prayer.  Each  one  kept 
his  seat,  with  his  eyes  closed,  and  his  body  inclined 
forward.  Soon  after  Joseph  says, '  Sidney,  (Rigdon,) 
have  you  seen  the  Lord  V  He  answered,  '  I  saw  the 
image  of  a  man  pass  before  my  face,  whose  locks 
were  white,  and  whose  countenance  was  exceedingly 
fair,  even  surpassing  all  beauty  that  I  ever  beheld.' 
Then  Joseph  replied,  '  I  knew  you  had  seen  a  vision, 
but  would  have  seen  more,  were  it  not  for  unbelief.' 
Sidney  confessed  his  faith  was  weak  that  morning. 
Hiram  Smith  said  he  had  seen  nearly  the  same  as 
Sidney,  which  was  pronounced  by  Joseph  to  be  the 
Redeemer  of  the  world.  Upon  this,  R.  Gaboon  fell 
upon  his  knees,  holding  his  hands  in  an  erect  posi- 
tion. In  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  he  arose,  and  de- 
clared he  had  seen  the  temple  of  Zion,  filled  with 
disciples,  while  the  top  was  covered  with  the  glory 
of  the  Lord,  in  the  form  of  a  cloud.  Another  one 
then  placed  himself  in  the  same  position,  but  saw  no 
vision,  his  faith  being  weak.  Joseph  next  arose,  and 
passed  round  the  room,  laying  his  hand  upon  each 
one,  and  spoke  as  follows,  as  near  as  the  narrator  can 
recollect : — 

"  '  Ak  man  oh  son  oh  man  ah  ne  commene  en  holle 
goste  en  haben  en  glai  hosanne  hosanne  en  holle  goste 
en  esac  milkea  Jeremiah,  ezekiel,  Nephi,  Lehi,  St. 
John,'  &c,,  &c.  After  administering  the  sacrament, 
several  of  the  brethren  were  called  upon  to  arise  and 
speak  in  tongues.  Several  of  them  performed  with 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      89 

considerable  applause.  Our  informant  says  he  was 
at  length  called  upon  to  speak,  or  sing,  '  in  tongues,' 
at  his  own  option — preferring  the  latter  mode,  he 
sung,  to  the  tune  of  Bruce's  Address,  a  combination 
of  sounds,  which  astonished  all  present. 

"  This  gibberish  for  several  months  was  practised 
almost  daily,  while  they  were  about  their  common 
avocations,  as  well  as  when  they  assembled  for  wor- 
ship." 

Nor  was  it  in  Ohio  alone  that  such  scenes 
were  enacted.  The  same  excesses  of  folly 
have  exhibited  themselves  in  almost  every  place 
where  Mormonism  has  made  any  advancement, 
both  in  America  and  England. 

Indeed,  this  species  of  jugglery  has  hardly 
been  second  to  any  other  means  of  securing 
Mormon  converts.  Hence,  perhaps,  the  perti- 
nacity with  which  they  assert,  in  direct  oppo- 
sition to  Scripture,  that  tongues  shall  not  cease. 

There  is  no  need,  however,  of  contesting 
this  point  with  the  Mormons,  since  what  they 
call  tongues  and  prophecies  may  undoubtedly 
continue,  while  the  "  heart  is  deceitful  above 
all  things,  and  desperately  wicked." 


90      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Preliminary  operations  in  Missouri — Mormon  El  Dora- 
do— Experience  of  Mr.  Booth — Smith's  position  and  au- 
thority in  the  church — Commandments — Communion  with 
black  spirits  and  white — Treasures — Foundation  of  Zion — • 
The  prophet  nearly  drowned  in  the  "  river  of  destruc- 
tion"— Comment  on  Rigdon's  conversion. 

THE  reader  will  not  have  forgotten  the  mis- 
sion sent  from  western  New-York  to  "  the  La- 
manites."  Although  it  was  a  perfect  failure  in 
every  thing,  besides  that  moral  triumph,  the  con- 
version of  Sidney  Rigdon,  which  many  believe 
to  have  been  its  real  object,  yet  it  was  destined 
to  lead  to  an  early  transfer  of  the  promised  land. 

"  Cowdery  and  his  companions,  on  their  way,  next 
tried  their  skill  on  several  tribes  of  natives,  but  made  no 
proselytes,  although  their  deluded  brethren  at  home 
could  daily  see  them,  in  visions,  baptizing  whole 
tribes.  They  finally  arrived  at  the  western  line  of 
the  state  of  Missouri,  late  in  the  fall  of  1830,  with 
the  intention  of  proceeding  into  the  Indian  country, 
but  were  stopped  by  the  agents  of  the  general  govern- 
ment, under  an  act  of  congress,  to  prevent  the  white 
people  from  trading  or  settling  among  them.  They 
then  took  up  their  winter  quarters  in  the  village  of 
Independence,  about  twelve  miles  from  the  state  line. 
Here  they  obtained  employment  during  the  winter. 
In  the  following  spring  one  of  them  returned  to  Kirt- 
land,  with  a  flattering  account  of  the  country  about 
Independence.  About  the  1st  of  June,  the  prophet 
assembled  all  his  followers,  for  the  purpose  of  a  great 
meeting,  at  which  time  it  was  given  out  that  marvel- 
lous events  were  to  take  place.  Here  many  new 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      91 

attempts  were  made  by  Smith  to  perform  miracles, 
and  otherwise  to  deceive  his  followers.  Previous  to 
this  time,  it  should  be  remarked,  nearly  all  the  Mor- 
monites  had  arrived  from  the  state  of  New- York, 
under  a  revelation,  of  course,  to  take  possession  of 
the  'promised  land.'  There  were,  in  all,  about  fifty 
families.  At  the  above-mentioned  meeting  a  long 
revelation  was  manufactured,  commanding  all  the 
leading  men  and  elders  to  depart  forthwith  for  the 
western  part  of  Missouri,  naming  each  one  separate- 
ly, informing  them  that  only  two  should  go  together, 
and  that  every  two  should  take  separate  roads,  preach- 
ing by  the  way.  Only  about  two  weeks  were  allowed 
them  to  make  preparations  for  the  journey,  and  most 
of  them  left  what  business  they  had  to  be  closed  by 
others.  Some  left  large  families,  with  their  crops 
upon  the  ground,  &c.,  &c. 

"  On  arriving  at  the  village  of  Independence,  they 
proceeded  to  purchase  a  lot  of  land,  upon  which  the 
prophet  directed  Rigdon  and  Cowdery  to  perform  the 
mock  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  a  city, 
which  he  called  Zion.  Of  the  future  prosperity  and 
magnificence  of  this  city,  many  marvellous  revela- 
tions were  had  by  the  prophet,  and  many  more  mar- 
vellous conjectures  formed  by  his  dupes.  Among 
others,  it  was  said  that  it  would,  in  a  few  years,  ex- 
ceed in  splendour  every  thing  known  in  ancient  times. 
Its  streets  were  to  be  paved  with  gold :  all  that  es- 
caped the  general  destruction,  which  was  soon  to 
take  place,  would  there  assemble  with  all  their  wealth ; 
the  ten  lost  tribes  of  Israel  had  been  discovered  in 
their  retreat,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  North  Pole,  where 
they  had  for  ages  been  secluded  by  immense  barriers 
of  ice,  and  became  vastly  rich ;  the  ice,  in  a  few 
years,  was  to  be  melted  away,  when  those  tribes, 
with  St.  John,  and  some  of  the  Nephites,  which  the 
Book  of  Mormon  had  immortalized,  would  be  seen 


92      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

making  their  appearance  in  the  new  city,  loaded  with 
immense  quantities  of  gold  and  silver.  Whether  the 
prophet,  himself,  ever  declared  that  these  things  had 
been  revealed  to  him,  or  that  he  had  seen  them 
through  his  magic  stone,  or  silver  spectacles,  we  will 
not  say  ;  but  that  such  stories,  and  hundreds  of  others 
equally  absurd,  were  told  by  those  who  were  in  daily 
intercourse  with  him,  as  being  events  which  would 
probably  take  place,  is  susceptible  of  proof." 

Here  was  a  scheme,  less  splendid  indeed  in 
conception,  but  scarcely  less  successful  in  its 
way  than  the  fable  of  El  Dorado,  invented  as 
a  stimulus  to  the  reckless  avarice  of  the  Span- 
ish adventurers,  who  desolated  Mexico,  and 
large  portions  of  South  America,  in  their  bloody 
inquest  for  gold.  Why  were  not  the  apostles 
under  the  necessity  of  appealing  to  some  of  the 
baser  principles  and  passions  of  human  nature, 
in  order  to  advance  Christianity  ! 

Among  existing  and  authentic  data,  respect- 
ing both  the  theory  and  the  practice  of  Mor- 
monism,  by  no  means  the  least  valuable  are  a 
series  of  letters,  addressed  to  the  Rev.  Ira  Eddy, 
by  Mr.  Ezra  Booth. 

Mr.  Booth  had  formerly  been  a  local  preacher 
in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ;  but,  in  an 
evil  hour,  had  become  a  victim  to  the  Mormon 
imposture.  Painful  experience  at  length  re- 
vealed to  him  the  iniquity  of  the  scheme  by 
which  he  had  been  duped,  and  faithfully  has  he 
exposed  it. 

From  many  other  items  of  interest  in  his  let- 
ters, we  extract  the  following  : — 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      93 

"  If  God  be  a  God  of  consistency  and  wisdom,  I 
now  know  Mormonism  to  be  a  delusion  ;  and  this 
knowledge  is  built  upon  the  testimony  of  my  senses. 
In  proclaiming  it,  1  am  aware  I  proclaim  my  own 
misfortune — but  in  so  doing  I  remove  a  burden  from 
my  mind,  and  discharge  a  duty  as  humbling  to  my- 
self, as  it  may  be  profitable  to  others.  Thanks  be  to 
God!  the  spell  is  dissipated,  and  the  '  captive  exile 
hasteneth  that  he  may  be  loosed,  and  not  die  in  the 
pit.' 

"  When  I  embraced  Mormonism,  I  conscientiously 
believed  it  to  be  of  God.  The  impressions  of  my 
mind  were  deep  and  powerful,  and  my  feelings  were 
excited  to  a  degree  to  which  I  had  been  a  stranger. 
Like  a  ghost,  it  haunted  me  by  night  and  by  day,  until 
I  was  mysteriously  hurried,  as  it  were,  by  a  kind  of 
necessity,  into  the  vortex  of  delusion.  At  times  I 
was  much  elated  ;  but,  generally,  things  in  prospect 
were  the  greatest  stimulants  to  action. 

"  On  our  arrival  in  the  western  part  of  the  state  of 
Missouri,  the  place  of  our  destination,  we  discovered 
that  prophecy  and  vision  had  failed,  or  rather  had 
proved  false.  This  fact  was  so  notorious,  and  the 
evidence  so  clear,  that  no  one  could  mistake  it — so 
much  so,  that  Mr.  Rigdon  himself  said,  that '  Joseph's 
vision  was  a  bad  thing.'  This  was  glossed  over,  ap- 
parently, to  the  satisfaction  of  most  persons  present ; 
but  not  fully  to  my  own.  It  excited  a  suspicion  that 
some  things  were  not  right,  and  prepared  my  mind 
for  the  investigation  of  a  variety  of  circumstances, 
which  occurred  during  my  residence  there,  and,  indeed, 
to  review  the  whole  subject,  from  its  commencement 
to  that  time.  My  opportunities  for  a  thorough  investi- 
gation were  far  greater  than  they  could  have  been  had 
I  remained  at  home  :  and,  therefore,  I  do  not  regret 
that  I  made  the  journey,  though  I  sincerely  regret 
the  cause  of  it.  Since  my  return,  I  have  had  seve- 


94       MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

ral  interviews  with  Messrs.  Smith,  Rigdon,  and  Cow- 
dery,  and  the  various  shifts  and  turns  to  which  they 
resorted,  in  order  to  obviate  objections  and  difficul- 
ties, produced  in  my  mind  additional  evidence  that 
there  was  nothing  else  than  a  deeply-laid  plan  of 
craft  and  deception. 

"  The  relation  in  which  Smith  stands  to  the  church 
is  that  of  a  prophet,  seer,  revealer,  and  translator  ; 
and  when  he  speaks  by  the  Spirit,  or  says  he  knows  - 
a  thing  by  the  communication  of  the  Spirit,  it  is  re- 
ceived as  coming  directly  from  the  mouth  of  the  Lord. 
When  he  says  he  knows  a  thing  to  be  so,  thus  it 
must  stand  without  controversy.  A  question  is  agi- 
tated between  two  elders  of  the  church — whether  or 
not  a  bucket  of  water  will  become  heavier  by  putting 
a  living  fish  in  it.  Much  is  said  by  each  of  the  dis- 
putants ;  when,  at  length,  Smith  decides  it  in  the 
negative,  by  saying,  '  I  know,  by  the  Spirit,  that  it 
will  be  no  heavier.'  •  Any  person,  who  chooses,  may 
easily  ascertain,  by  actual  experiment,  whether  the 
prophet  was  influenced,  in  this  decision,  by  a  true  or 
false  spirit. 

11  Every  thing  in  the  church  is  done  by  command- 
ment ;  and  yet  it  is  said  to  be  done  by  the  voice  of 
the  church.  For  instance  :  Smith  gets  a  command- 
ment that  he  shall  be  the  '  head  of  the  church,'  or  that 
he  '  shall  rule  the  conference,'  or  that  the  church 
shall  build  him  an  elegant  house,  and  give  him  one 
thousand  dollars.  For  this  the  members  of  the  church 
must  vote,  or  they  will  be  cast  off  for  rebelling  against 
the  commandments  of  the  Lord.  In  addition  to  the 
Book  of  Mormon,  and  the  commandments,  there  are 
revelations  which  are  not  written.  In  this  depart- 
ment, though  Smith  is  the  principal,  yet  there  are 
others  who  profess  to  receive  revelations  ;  but,  after 
all,  Smith  is  to  decide  whether  they  come  from  the 
Lord  or  the  devil.  Some  have  been  so  unfortunate 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      95 

as  to  have  their  revelations  palmed  upon  the  latter. 
These  revelations  entirely  supercede  the  Bible,  and, 
in  fact,  the  Bible  is  declared  too  defective  to  be  trust- 
ed, in  its  present  form  ;  and  it  is  designed  that  it  shall 
undergo  a  thorough  alteration,  or,  as  they  say,  trans- 
lation. This  work  is  now  in  operation.  The  Gos- 
pel of  St.  Matthew  has  already  received  the  purifying- 
touch,  and  is  prepared  for  the  use  of  the  church.  lit 
was  intended  to  have  kept  this  work  a  profound  se- 
cret, and  strict  commandments  were  given  for  that 
purpose  ;  and  even  the  salvation  of  the  church  was 
said  to  depend  upon  it.  The  secret  is  divulged,  but 
the  penalty  is  not  as  yet  inflicted.  Their  revela- 
tions are  said  to  be  an  addition  to  the  Bible.  But 
instead  of  being  an  addition,  they  destroy  its  use  ;  for 
every  thing  which  need  be  known,  whether  present, 
past,  or  future,  they  can  learn  from  Smith,  for  he  has 
declared  to  the  church,  that  he  '  knows  all  things  that 
will  take  place  from  this  time  to  the  end  of  the  world.' 
If,  then,  placing  the  Bible  under  circumstances  which 
render  it  entirely  useless,  is  infidelity,  Mormonism  is 
infidelity. 

"  Smith  is  the  only  one  at  present,  to  my  know- 
ledge, who  pretends  to  hold  converse  with  the  inha- 
bitants of  the  celestial  world.  It  seems,  from  his 
statements,  that  he  can  have  access  to  them  when 
and  where  he  pleases.  He  does  not  pretend  that  he 
sees  them  with  his  natural,  but  with  his  spiritual, 
eyes ;  and  he  says  he  can  see  them  as  well  with  his 
eyes  shut,  as  with  them  open.  So  also  in  translat- 
ing. The  subject  stands  before  his  eyes  in  print, 
but  it  matters  not  whether  his  eyes  are  open  or  shut ; 
he  can  see  as  well  one  way  as  the  other. 

"  Smith  describes  an  angel  as  having  the  appear- 
ance of  a  tall,  slim,  well-built,  handsome  man,  with 
a  bright  pillar  upon  his  head.'  The  devil  once,  he 
says,  appeared  to  him  in  the  same  form,  excepting 


96      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

upon  his  head  he  had  a  '  black  pillar,'  and  by  this 
mark  he  was  able  to  distinguish  him  from  the 
former. 

"  It  passes  for  a  current  fact  in  the  Mormon 
church,  that  there  are  immense  treasures  in  the  earth, 
especially  in  those  places  in  the  state  of  New- York 
from  whence  many  of  the  Mormons  emigrated  last 
spring  :  and  when  they  become  sufficiently  purified, 
these  treasures  are  to  be  poured  into  the  lap  of  their 
church  ;  to  use  their  own  language,  they  are  to  be  the 
richest  people  in  the  world.  These  treasures  were 
discovered  several  years  since,  by  means  of  the  dark 
glass,  the  same  with  which  Smith  says  he  translated 
the  most  of  the  Book  of  Mormon.  Several  of  those 
persons,  together  with  Smith,  who  were  unsuccess- 
fully engaged  in  digging  and  searching  for  these  trea- 
sures, now  reside  in  this  county,  and  from  themselves 
I  received  this  information." 

Having  reached  the  Missourian  El  Dorado, 
Mr.  Booth  witnessed  several  important  transac- 
tions. 

"  The  laying  of  the  foundation  of  Zion  was  attend- 
ed with  considerable  parade,  and  an  ostentatious  dis- 
play of  talents,  both  by  Rigdon  and  Cowdery.  The 
place  being  designated  as  the  site  where  the  city  was 
to  commence,  on  the  day  appointed  we  repaired  to 
the  spot,  not  only  as  spectators,  but  each  one  to  act 
the  part  assigned  him  in  the  great  work  of  laying  the 
foundation  of  the  '  glorious  city  of  New  Jerusalem.' 
Rigdon  consecrated  the  ground,  by  an  address,  in  the 
first  place,  to  the  God  whom  the  Mormons  profess 
to  worship  ;  and  then  making  some  remarks  respect- 
ing the  extraordinary  purpose  for  which  we  were  as- 
sembled, prepared  the  way  for  administering  the  oath 
of  allegiance  to  those  who  were  to  receive  their 
'  everlasting  inheritance'  in  that  city.  He  laid  them 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      97 

under  the  most  solemn  obligations  to  constantly  obey 
all  the  commandments  of  Smith.  He  enjoined  it  upon 
them  to  express  a  great  degree  of  gratitude  for  the  free 
donation,  and  then,  as  the  Lord's  vicegerent,  he  gratu- 
itously bestowed  upon  them  that  for  which  they  Lad 
paid  an  exorbitant  price  in  money.  These  prelimina- 
ries being  ended,  a  shrub  oak,  about  ten  inches  in 
diameter  at  the  butt,  the  best  that  could  be  obtain- 
ed near  at  hand,  was  prostrated,  trimmed,  and  cut  off 
at  a  suitable  length  ;  and  twelve  men,  answering  to 
the  twelve  apostles,  by  means  of  handspikes,  con- 
veyed it  to  the  place.  Cowdery  craved  the  privi- 
lege of  laying  the  corner-stone.  He  selected  a  small 
rough  stone,  the  best  he  could  find,  carried  it  in  one 
hand  to  the  spot,  removed  the  surface  of  the  earth  to 
prepare  a  place  for  its  reception,  and  then  displayed 
his  oratorical  power,  in  delivering  an  address,  suited 
to  the  important  occasion.  The  stone  being  placed, 
one  end  of  the  shrub  oak  stick  was  laid  upon  it ;  and 
there  was  laid  down  the  first  stone  and  stick,  which 
are  to  form  an  essential  part  of  the  splendid  city  of 
Zion. 

"  The  next  day  the  ground  for  the  temple  was  con- 
secrated, and  Smith  claimed  the  honour  of  laying  the 
corner-stone  himself.  Should  the  inhabitants  of  In- 
dependence feel  a  desire  to  visit  this  place,  destined 
at  some  future  time  to  become  celebrated,  they  will 
have  only  to  walk  one  half  of  a  mile  out  of  the  town, 
to  a  rise  of  ground,  a  short  distance  south  of  the  road. 
They  will  be  able  to  ascertain  the  spot  by  the  means 
of  a  sapling,  distinguished  from  the  others  by  the  bark 
being  broken  off  on  the  north  and  on  the  east  side. 
On  the  south  side  of  the  sapling  will  be  found  the  let- 
ter T.,  which  stands  for  temple  ;  and  on  the  east  side 
Zom  !  for  Zomas  ;  which  Smith  says  is  the  original 
word  for  Zion.  Near  the  foot  of  the  sapling  they 
will  find  a  small  stone  covered  over  with  bushes, 


98      MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

which  were  cut  for  that  purpose.  This  is  the  corner 
stone  for  the  temple.  They  can  there  have  the  pri 
vilege  of  beholding  the  mighty  work,  accomplished 
by  about  thirty  men,  who  left  their  homes,  travelled 
one  thousand  miles,  most  of  them  on  foot,  and  ex- 
pended more  than  one  thousand  dollars  in  cash." 

It  appears  that  the  eminent  failure  of  this 
worse  than  Quixotic  expedition,  produced  so 
great  a  dissatisfaction,  as  well  nigh  to  have 
broken  up  the  whole  concern.  The  party  start- 
ed to  return.  Smith,  in  his  pertinacious  deter- 
mination to  be  at  the  head  of  every  thing,  ma- 
naged, when  proceeding  down  the  Missouri  in 
a  canoe,  to  run  said  craft  "  foul  of  a  sawyer," 
thus  exposing  himself  and  his  companions  to  a 
ducking.  This  untoward  event,  at  the  end  of 
so  many  disappointments,  brought  on  a  serious 
quarrel.  • 

"  By  the  persuasion  of  Joseph,  we  landed  before 
sunset,  to  pass  the  night  upon  the  bank  of  the  river. 
Preparations  were  made  to  spend  the  night  as  com- 
fortably as  existing  circumstances  would  admit,  and 
then  an  attempt  was  made  to  effect  a  reconciliation 
between  the  contending  parties.  The  business  of  set- 
tlement elicited  much  conversation,  and  excited  consi- 
derable feeling  on  both  sides.  Oliver's  denunciation 
was  brought  into  view ;  his  conduct  and  equipage  were 
compared  to  '  a  fop  of  a  sportsman ;'  he  and  Joseph 
were  represented  as  highly  imperious,  and  quite  dic- 
tatorial ;  and  Joseph  and  Sidney  were  reprimanded 
for  their  excessive  cowardice.  Joseph  seemed  in- 
clined to  arm  himself,  according  to  his  usual  custom, 
in  case  of"  opposition,  with  the  judgments  of  God,  for 
the  purpose  of  pouring  them,  like  a  thunder-bolt,  upon 
the  rebellious  elders  ;  but  one  or  two  retorted,  '  None 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.      99 

of  your  threats  ;'  which  completely  disarmed  him,  and 
he  reserved  his  judgments  for  a  more  suitable  occa- 
sion. Finding  myself  but  little  interested  in  the  set- 
tlement, believing  the  principles  of  discord  too  deep- 
ly rooted  to  be  easily  eradicated,  I  laid  myself  down 
upon  the  ground,  and  sunk  into  the  arms  of  sleep,  but 
was  awakened  at  a  late  hour,  to  witness  and  consent 
to  a  reconciliation  between  the  parties.  The  next 
morning  Joseph  manifested  an  aversion  to  risk  his 
person  any  more  upon  the  rough  and  angry  current 
of  the  Missouri,  and,  in  fact,  upon  any  other  river  ; 
and  he  again  had  recourse  to  his  usual  method  of 
freeing  himself  from  the  embarrassments  of  a  former 
commandment,  by  obtaining  another  in  opposition  to 
it.  A  new  commandment  was  issued,  in  which  a 
great  curse  was  pronounced  against  the  waters  :  na- 
vigating them  was  to  be  attended  with  extreme  dan- 
ger ;  and  all  the  saints,  in  general,  were  prohibited 
in  journeying  upon  them,  to  the  promised  land.  From 
this  circumstance,  the  Missouri  river  was  named  the 
river  of  Destruction.  It  was  decreed  that  we  should 
proceed  on  our  journey  by  land,  and  preach  by  the 
way  as  we  passed  along.  Joseph,  Sidney,  and  Oli- 
ver were  to  press  their  way  forward  with  all  possible 
speed,  and  to  preach  only  in  Cincinnati ;  and  there 
they  were  to  lift  up  their  voices,  and  proclaim  against 
the  whole  of  that  wicked  city.  The  method  by  which 
Joseph  and  Co.  designed  to  proceed  home,  it  was 
discovered,  would  be  very  expensive.  '  The  Lord 
don't  care  how  much  money  it  takes  to  get  us  home,' 
said  Sidney.  Not  satisfied  with  the  money  they  re- 
ceived from  the  bishop,  they  used  their  best  endea- 
vours to  exact  money  from  others,  who  had  but  little, 
compared  with  what  they  had  ;  telling  them,  in  sub- 
stance, '  You  can  beg  your  passage  on  foot,  but  as  we 
are  to  travel  in  the  stage,  we  must  have  money.' 
You  will  find,  sir,  that  the  expense  of  these  three 


100    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

men  was  one  hundred  dollars  more  than  three  of  our 
company  expended,  while  on  our  journey  home  ;  and, 
for  the  sake  of  truth  and  honesty,  let  these  men  never 
again  open  their  mouths,  to  insult  the  common  sense 
of  mankind,  by  contending  for  equality,  and  the  com- 
munity of  goods  in  society,  until  there  is  a  thorough 
alteration  in  their  method  of  proceeding.  It  seems, 
however,  they  had  drained  their  pockets,  when  they 
arrived  at  Cincinnati,  for  there  they  were  under  the 
necessity  of  pawning  their  trunk,  in  order  to  continue 
their  journey  home.  Here  they  violated  the  com- 
mandment, by  not  preaching ;  and  when  an  inquiry 
was  made  respecting  the  cause  of  that  neglect,  at  one 
time  they  said  they  could  get  no  house  to  preach  in  ; 
at  another  time  they  stated  that  they  could  have  had 
the  court-house,  had  they  stayed  a  day  or  two  longer, 
but  the  Lord  made  it  known  to  them  that  they  should 
go  on  ;  and  other  similar  excuses,  involving  like  con- 
tradictions." 

Respecting  Rigdon's  pretended  conversion  to 
Mormonisra,  Mr.  Booth  remarks, — 

"  Before  he  could  fully  embrace  it,  he  must  '  re- 
ceive a  testimony  from  God.'  In  order  to  this  he 
laboured  as  he  wras  directed  by  his  preceptor,  almost 
incessantly  and  earnestly  in  praying,  till  at  length  his 
mind  was  wrapped  up  in  a  vision ;  and,  to  use  his 
own  language,  '  to  my  astonishment  I  saw  the  differ- 
ent orders  of  professing  Christians  passing  before  my 
eyes,  with  their  hearts  exposed  to  view,  and  they 
were  as  corrupt  as  corruption  itself.  That  society 
to  which  I  belonged  also  passed  before  my  eyes,  and 
to  my  astonishment  it  was  as  corrupt  as  the  others. 
Last  of  all  that  little  man,  who  brought  me  the  Book 
of  Mormon,  passed  before  my  eyes  with  his  heart 
open,  and  it  was  as  pure  as  an  angel ;  and  this  was  a 
testimony  from  God,  that  the  Book  of  Mormon  was 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     101 

a  divine  revelation.'  Rigdon  is  one  who  has  ascend- 
ed to  the  summit  of  Mormonism  ;  and  this  vision 
stands  as  the  foundation  of  his  knowledge.  He  fre- 
quently affirms  that  these  things  are  not  a  matter  of 
faith  with  him,  but  of  absolute  knowledge." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Zion  established — Enthusiasm  of  the  gathering  to  Mis- 
souri— Origin  of  difficulties — Mob  law — Mutual  provoca- 
tions— Expulsion  of  Mormons  from  Jackson  county — 
Revelations  on  the  subject — Army  of  Zion — Essay  at 
miracles — Exhibitions  of  valour — End  of  the  campaign. 

DURING  the  visit  to  Missouri,  which  has  been 
described  in  the  preceding  chapter,  Smith  again 
issued  what  he  pretended  was  a  revelation  from 
the  Almighty.  A  part  of  this  document  is  here 
inserted,  as  an  explanatory  key  to  subsequent 
events. 

"  Zion,  August  3d,  1831. 

"  Hearken,  O  ye  elders  of  my  church,  and  give  ear 
to  my  word,  and  learn  of  me  what  I  will  concerning 
you ;  for  verily  I  say  unto  you,  blessed  is  he  that 
keepeth  my  commandments,  whether  in  life  or  in 
death ;  and  he  that  is  faithful  in  tribulation,  the  re- 
ward of  the  same  is  greater  in  the  kingdom.  Ye 
cannot  behold  with  your  natural  eyes,  for  the  present 
time,  the  design  of  your  God  concerning  those  things 
which  shall  follow  after  much  tribulation ;  for  after 
much  tribulation  cometh  the  blessing.  Wherefore, 
the  day  cometh  that  ye  shall  be  rewarded  with  much 
glory — the  hour  is  not  yet,  but  is  nigh  at  hand ;  re- 


102     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

member  this,  which  I  told  you  before,  that  you  may 
lay  it  to  heart,  and  receive  that  which  shall  follow. 

"  Behold,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  for  this  cause  have 
I  sent  you — that  ye  might  be  obedient,  and  that  your 
hearts  might  be  prepared  to  bear  testimony  of  the 
things  which  are  to  come,  and  also  that  you  might  be 
favoured  of  laying  the  foundation,  and  bearing  record 
of  the  land  upon  which  the  Zion  of  God  shall  stand. 
Behold,  I  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it,  and  that  the  testi- 
mony might  go  forth  from  Zion,  yea,  from  the  mouth 
of  the  city  of  the  heritage  of  God  ;  yea,  for  this  cause 
I  have  sent  you  hither,  and  I  have  selected  and 
chosen  my  servant  Edward,  and  appointed  unto  him 
his  mission  in  this  land  ;  but  if  he  repent  not  of  his 
sins,  which  is  unbelief  and  blindness  of  heart,  let  him 
take  heed  lest  he  fall.  Behold,  his  mission  is  given 
unto  him,  and  it  shall  not  be  given  again ;  and  who- 
soever standeth  in  that  mission  is  appointed  to  be  a 
judge  in  Israel,  like  as  it  was  in  ancient  days,  to  di- 
vide the  lands  of  the  heritage  of  God  unto  his  chil- 
dren, and  to  judge  his  people  by  the  testimony  of  the 
just  by  the  assistance  of  his  counsellors,  according  to 
the  laws  of  the  kingdom,  which  were  given  by  the 
prophets  of  God.  Let  no  man  break  the  laws  of  the 
land — wherefore,  be  subject  to  the  powers  that  be, 
until  he  reigns,  whose  right  it  is  to  reign,  and  subdue 
all  his  enemies  under  his  feet.  Behold,  the  laws 
which  ye  have  recorded  from  my  hand  are  the  laws 
of  the  church — in  this  light  shall  ye  hold  them  forth. 
Behold,  here  is  wisdom ;  and  as  I  speak  concerning 
my  servant  Edward,  this  land  is  the  land  of  his  resi- 
dence, and  those  whom  he  hath  appointed  for  his 
counsellors,  and  all  the  land  of  the  residence  of  him 
whom  I  have  appointed  to  keep  my  store-house. 
Wherefore,  let  them  bring  their  families  to  this  land, 
as  they  shall  counsel  between  themselves  and  me  ; 
for,  behold,  it  is  not  meet  that  I  should  command  in 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     103 

all  things,  for  he  that  is  compelled  in  all  things  is  a 
slothful,  and  not  a  wise  servant ;  wherefore,  he  re- 
ceiveth  no  reward. 

"  And  now  I  give  unto  you  further  directions  con- 
cerning this  land  ;  it  is  wisdom  in  me  that  my  servant 
Martin  should  be  an  example  unto  the  church,  in  lay- 
ing his  money  before  the  bishop  of  the  church  ;  and 
also,  this  is  the  law  unto  every  man  that  cometh  into 
this  land  to  receive  an  inheritance,  and  he  shall  do 
with  his  money  according  as  the  law  directs  ;  and  it 
is  wisdom,  also,  that  there  should  be  lands  purchased 
in  Independence  for  the  place  of  the  store-house,  and 
also  for  the  house  of  the  printing,  and  other  directions 
concerning  my  servant  Martin,  of  the  Spirit  that  he 
may  receive  his  inheritance  as  seemeth  him  good — 
and  let  him  repent  of  his  sins,  for  he  seeketh  praise 
of  the  world.  Verily  I  say,  concerning  the  residue 
of  the  elders  of  my  church,  the  time  has  not  yet  come 
for  many  years,  for  them  to  receive  their  inheritance 
in  this  land,  except  they  desire  it  through  prayer  only, 
as  it  shall  be  appointed  unto  them ;  for,  behold,  they 
shall  push  the  people  together  from  the  ends  of  the 
earth  ;  wherefore,  assemble  yourselves  together,  and 
he  that  is  not  appointed  to  stay  in  the  land,  let  them 
preach  the  gospel  in  the  regions  round  about ;  and 
after  that,  let  them  return  to  their  homes.  Let  them 
preach  by  the  way,  and  bear  testimony  of  the  truth 
in  all  places,  and  call  upon  the  rich,  the  high,  and  the 
low,  and  the  poor,  to  repent :  and  let  them  build  up 
churches,  inasmuch  as  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth 
will  repent ;  and  let  there  be  an  agent  appointed,  by 
the  voice  of  the  church.  And  I  give  unto  my  ser- 
vant Sidney  a  commandment,  that  he  shall  write  a 
description  of  Zion,  and  a  statement  of  the  will  of 
God,  as  it  shall  be  made  known  by  the  Spirit  unto 
him  ;  and  an  epistle  and  a  subscription  unto  all  the 
churches,  to  obtain  moneys  to  be  put  into  the  hands 


104    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

of  the  bishop,  to  purchase  lands  for  an  inheritance  for 
the  children  of  God,  of  himself,  or  of  the  agent,  as 
seemeth  him  good,  or  as  he  shall  direct,  for  behold 
the  Lord  willeth  that  the  disciples  and  the  children 
of  men  should  open  their  hearts,  even  to  purchase  this 
whole  region  of  country,  as  soon  as  time  will  permit ; 
behold,  here  is  wisdom,  lest  they  receive  none  inhe- 
ritance, save  by  the  shedding  of  Mood;  and  let  the 
work  of  the  gathering  be  not  by  haste  nor  by  flight, 
but  let  it  be  done  as  it  shall  be  counselled  by  the 
elders  of  the  church  at  the  conference — according  to 
the  knowledge  which  they  shall  receive  from  time  to 
time  ;  and  let  my  servant  Sidney  consecrate  and  dedi- 
cate this  land,  and  the  spot  of  the  temple,  unto  the 
Lord  ;  and  let  a  conference  meeting -be  called.  And 
after  that,  let  my  servant  Sidney  and  Joseph  return, 
and  also  my  servant  Oliver  with  them,  to  accomplish 
the  residue  of  the  work  which  I  have  appointed  unto 
them  in  their  own  land ;  and  the  residue  as  shall  be 
ruled  by  the  conference." 

This  communication  was  received  with 
childish  exultation  by  the  Mormon  leaders, 
who  echoed  and  re-echoed  the  intelligence 
that  "the  Lord  has  given  us  this  whole 
region  of  country," — "this  whole  region  of 
country  is  ours."  Yet  the  very  commandment 
informed  them  that  they  must  purchase  the 
land  either  by  money,  "  as  soon  as  time  would 
permit,"  or  by  "  the  shedding  of  blood."  Not- 
withstanding the  disorder  and  hot  haste  with 
which  Joseph  and  Sidney  had  returned  to  "  their 
own  land,"  yet  their  followers  generally  began 
to  grow  enthusiastic  about  locating  themselves 
on  their  second  eternal  inheritance.  Mr.  Cor- 
rill  says, — 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     105 

"  They  bad  been  commanded  not  to  go  up  in  baste, 
nor  by  flight,  but  to  have  all  things  prepared  before 
them.  Money  was  to  be  sent  up  to  the  bishop,  and 
as  fast  as  lands  were  purchased,  and  preparations 
made,  the  bishop  was  to  let  it  be  known,  that  the 
church  might  be  gathered  in.  But  this  regulation 
was  not  attended  to,  for  the  church  got  crazy  to  go 
up  to  Zion,  as  it  was  then  called.  The  rich  were 
afraid  to  send  up  their  money  to  purchase  lands,  and 
the  poor  crowded  up  in  numbers,  without  having  any 
places  provided,  contrary  to  the  advice  of  the  bishop 
and  others,  until  the  old  citizens  began  to  be  highly 
displeased.  They  saw  their  county  filling  up  with 
emigrants,  principally  poor.  They  disliked  their  re- 
ligion, and  saw  also,  that  if  let  alone,  they  would,  in 
a  short  time,  become  a  majority,  and,  of  course,  rule 
the  county.  The  church  kept  increasing,  and  the 
old  citizens  became  more  and  more  dissatisfied,  and 
from  time  to  time  offered  to  sell  their  farms  and  pos- 
sessions, but  the  Mormons,  though  desirous,  were  too 
poor  to  purchase  them. 

"  The  feelings  of  the  people  became  greatly  exas- 
perated, in  consequence  of  the  many  falsehoods  and 
evil  reports  that  were  in  constant  circulation  against 
the  church. 

"  Thus  matters  grew  worse  and  worse,  until  the 
people  arose  in  their  fury.  On  the  20th  day  of  July, 
1833,  the  citizens  met  at  the  court-house,  in  Inde- 
pendence, and  appointed  a  committee,  who  called 
upon  six  or  seven  of  the  leading  Mormons,  and  re- 
quired them  to  shut  up  all  their  work-shops,  their 
store,  and  their  printing-office,  and  agree  to  leave 
the  county.  The  Mormons  required  time  to  give 
them  an  answer ;  but  they  would  grant  only  fifteen 
minutes.  The  Mormons  then  refused  to  comply  with 
Iheir  proposals,  and  the  committee  then  returned  to 
the  court-house,  where  the  people  were  assembled. 


106     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

and  related  to  them  the  answer  of  the  Mormons. 
They  then  took  a  vote  to  demolish  the  printing-office 
which  they  did  immediately,  and  tarred  and  feathered 
the  bishop  and  two  or  three  others,  and  appointed  the 
23d  to  meet  again  and  carry  on  the  work  of  destruc- 
tion. The  day  arrived,  and  the  people  met.  several 
hundred  in  number,  and  plainly  manifested  a  full  de- 
termination to  carry  on  the  work  of  destruction  :  some 
four  or  five  of  the  leading  Mormons  offered  their  lives 
if  they  would  spare  the  church,  but  they  answered 
'  no,  every  man  should  answer  for  his  own  life,  or 
leave  the  county.' 

"  The  Mormons  agreed  to  leave,  and  this  appeased 
their  wrath  for  that  time.  A  part  were  to  leave  in 
January,  and  a  part  in  the  spring.  This  agreement 
having  been  made  in  duress,  the  Mormons  considered 
it  illegal,  and  not  binding,  and  supposed  that  the  go- 
vernor, or  authorities,  would  protect  them,  if  applied 
to,  and  not  suffer  them  to  be  driven  off  in  that  manner. 

"  Here  let  me  remark,  that  up  to  this  time  the 
Mormons  had  not  so  much  as  lifted  a  finger,  even  in 
their  own  defence,  so  tenacious  were  they  for  the 
precepts  of  the  gospel, — '  turn  the  other  cheek.' 

"  Between  two  and  three  months  passed  off  in 
peace,  when,  toward  the  last  of  October,  a  petition 
was  drawn  up  and  circulated  in  the  church,  praying 
the  governor  for  protection  ;  but  he  said  we  must  ap- 
peal to  the  civil  law  for  redress.  This  we  tried,  but 
found  it  of  no  use,  for  as  soon  as  the  people  found  out 
that  we  had  petitioned  the  governor  for  protection, 
and  that  we  were  about  to  appeal  to  the  law  for  re- 
dress, they  became  very  angry,  and  again  commenced 
hostilities.  The  Mormons  then  began  to  prepare  for 
self-defence,  but  were  badly  armed.  The  citizens 
would  collect  together,  and  by  night  commit  depreda- 
tions on  the  Mormons,  by  pulling  down  their  houses, 
whipping  the  men,  &c.,  until  some  time  about  the 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     107 

fourth  of  November,  1833,  a  conflict  took  place,  in 
which  three  or  four  persons  were  killed,  and  others 
wounded.  This  took  place  above  Blue,  eight  or  nine 
miles  from  Independence,  and  the  news  reached  In- 
dependence a  little  after  dark  ;  at  which  time  six  or 
eight  of  the  Mormons  were  undergoing  a  sham  trial, 
under  a  pretence  of  law  ;  but  this  news  produced  such 
confusion  in  the  court-house,  and  the  people  became 
so  angry,  that  the  court  was  obliged  to  shut  up  the 
prisoners  in  the  jail,  to  keep  them  from  being  mur- 
dered. The  people  continued  to  gather  from  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  country,  and  such  was  the  wrath  and 
determination  manifested,  that  before  light  the  next 
morning,  the  Mormon  leaders  agreed,  for  themselves 
and  the  church,  to  leave  the  county.  Lyman  Wight, 
who  lived  above  Blue,  eight  or  ten  miles  distant,  on 
hearing  that  several  Mormons  were  in  jail  without 
just  cause,  and  supposing  they  intended  to  take  their 
lives,  gathered  up  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men, 
partly  armed,  and  marched  to  Independence  ;  but  on 
learning  that  the  Mormons  had  agreed  to  leave  the 
county,  they  conceded  to  the  same,  and  gave  up  their 
arms, — fifty-two  guns,  a  pistol  and  a  sword, — which 
Col.  Pitcher  and  others  faithfully  agreed  to  deliver 
up,  as  soon  as  they  had  left  the  county  ;  but  this  they 
afterward  refused  to  do,  although  required  to  do  so, 
by  a  written  order  from  the  governor,  and  the  Mor- 
mons have  never  received  the  guns,  nor  an  equiva- 
.ent  for  them,  to  this  day. 

"  They  all  left  Jackson  county  in  the  course  of 
three  or  four  weeks.  Some  went  to  Van  Buren 
county ;  some  to  the  eastward  ;  but  the  major  part 
went  to  Clay  county,  where  they  were  received  in  a 
hospitable  manner.  They  were  not  suffered  to  re- 
turn to  Jackson  county,  even  to  settle  up  their  busi- 
ness. 

"  During  all  these  difficulties  the  Mormons  were 


108     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

accused  of  many  crimes.  This,  of  course,  was  ne- 
cessary for  an  excuse  ;  but  the  people  of  Jackson 
well  know,  that  up  to  that  time,  the  Mormons  had  not 
been  guilty  of  crime,  nor  done  any  thing  whereby 
they  could  criminate  them  by  the  law  :  and,  in  my 
opinion,  the  stories  originated  in  hatred  toward  the 
Mormon  religion,  and  the  fear  entertained  of  their 
overrunning  and  ruling  the  county. 

"  The  people  of  Clay  gave  the  Mormons  employ- 
ment, and  paid  them  good  wages  ;  and  by  their  indus- 
try they  made  themselves  comfortable,  with  the 
exception  of  some  families  that  found  it  difficult  to 
get  shelter.  The  number  driven  out  was  about 
twelve  hundred. 

"  Some  time  in  the  winter  of  1833,  and  1834,  the 
governor  ordered  the  criminal  acts  of  the  people  to 
be  complained  of,  and  laid  before  the  grand  jury  of 
Jackson  county.  For  this  purpose,  he  ordered  Cap- 
tain Atchinson,  with  his  company  of  Liberty  Blues, 
to  guard  the  witnesses  over  to  the  trial,  which  he  did, 
much  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  witnesses.  The  go- 
vernor also  requested  the  attorney  general  to  go  and 
assist ;  but,  after  getting  there,  and  seeing  the  situa- 
tion of  things,  and  the  spirit  of  the  people,  he  advised 
the  witnesses  to  go  home,  and  not  try  to  do  any  thing 
about  it,  for  they  w7ould  be  unable  to  get  justice. 
They  took  his  advice,  and  returned  with  the  guard." 

The  events  alluded  to  in  the  last  paragraph 
were  of  such  importance  as  to  require  a  little 
more  minuteness  of  detail.  We  give  below  a 
few  extracts  of  the  revelation  which  was  there- 
upon issued,  in  the  form  of  a  handbill,  from  the 
Mormon  press  at  Kirtland.  The  first  paragraph 
intimates,  that  what  we  would  fain  consider  as 
an  unprovoked,  as  well  as  an  unpardonable  per- 
secution, was  in  fact  a  visitation  suffered  by 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     109 

Heaven,  in  consequence  of  their  transgressions. 
Verily,  this  was  the  "  unkindest  cut  of  all,"  to 
denounce  the  poor  Mormons  for  the  natural  re- 
sults of  a  delusion  so  industriously  instilled  into 
their  minds.  The  only  shadow  of  an  apology 
we  have  been  disposed  to  extend  to  those  who 
opposed  them,  in  defiance  of  the  laws,  grows 
out  of  what  appears  to  be  the  natural  spirit  and 
legitimate  practice  of  Mormonism ;  and,  of 
course,  is  chargeable  upon  its  authors,  not  its 
victims. 

Trained  as  the  Mormons  had  been  to  anath- 
ematize all  who  questioned  the  pretensions  of 
their  prophet ;  and  boasting,  as  they  were  wont, 
of  increasing  power  and  anticipated  dominion, 
we  cannot  -easily  suppose  their  course  to  have 
been  conciliating  or  commendable.  Yet  many 
of  them  had  the  apology  of  knowing  no  better, 
and  all  the  example  of  their  superiors  for  such 
offensive  conduct :  but  notwithstanding  this,  the 
very  instigators  of  their  folly  could  point  out 
their  own  followers  as  obnoxious  to  divine  judg- 
ments. 

REVELATION. 

"  Verily,  I  say  unto  you,  concerning  your  brethren 
who  have  been  afflicted  and  persecuted  and  cast  out 
from  the  land  of  your  inheritance, — I  the  Lord  hath 
suffered  the  affliction  to  come  upon  them,  wherewith 
they  have  been  afflicted  in  consequence  of  their  trans- 
gressions ;  yet  I  will  own  them,  and  they  shall  be 
mine  in  that  day  when  I  shall  come  to  make  up  my 
jewels. 


110     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

"Verily,  I  say  unto  you,  notwithstanding  their 
sins,  my  bowels  are  filled  with  compassion  toward 
them :  I  will  not  utterly  cast  them  off;  and  in  the 
day  of  wrath  I  will  remember  mercy.  I  have  sworn, 
and  the  decree  hath  gone  forth  by  a  former  command- 
ment which  I  have  given  unto  you,  that  I  would  let 
fall  the  sword  of  mine  indignation  in  the  behalf  of  my 
people  ;  and  even  as  I  have  said  it  shall  come  to  pass. 
Mine  indignation  is  soon  to  be  poured  out  without 
measure  upon  all  nations,  and  this  will  I  do  when  the 
cup  of  their  iniquity  is  full. 

"And  behold,  there  is  none  other  place  appointed, 
neither  shall  there  be  any  other  place  appointed  than 
that  which  I  have  appointed  for  the  work  of  gather- 
ing my  saints,  until  the  day  cometh  when  there  is 
found  no  more  room  for  them  ;  and  then  I  have  other 
places  which  I  will  appoint  unto  them,  and  they  shall 
be  called  stakes,  for  the  curtains,  or  the  strength  of 
Zion. 

"  Therefore  get  ye  straightway  unto  my  land ; 
break  down  the  walls  of  mine  enemies ;  throw  down 
their  tower,  and  scatter  their  watchmen  ;  and  inas- 
much as  they  gather  together  against  you,  avenge 
me  of  mine  enemies,  that  by  and  by  I  may  come  with 
the  residue  of  my  house  and  possess  the  land. 

"  Therefore,  a  commandment  I  give  unto  all  the 
churches,  that  they  shall  continue  to  gather  together 
unto  all  the  places  which  I  have  appointed  :  neverthe- 
less, as  I  have  said  unto  you  in  a  former  command- 
ment, let  not  your  gathering  be  in  haste,  nor  by  flight  • 
but  let  all  things  be  prepared  before  you  ;  and  in  order 
that  all  things  be  prepared  before  you,  observe  the 
commandments  which  I  have  given  concerning  these 
things,  which  saith,  or  teacheth,  to  purchase  all  the 
lands  by  money,  which  can  be  purchased  for  money, 
in  the  region  round  about  the  land  which  I  have  ap- 
pointed to  be  the  land  of  Zion,  for  the  beginning  of 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     Ill 

the  gathering  of  my  saints  :  all  the  land  which  can 
be  purchased  in  Jackson  county,  and  the  counties 
round  about,  and  leave  the  residue  in  mine  hand. 

"  Now,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  let  all  the  churches 
gather  together  all  their  moneys  ;  let  these  things  be 
done  in  their  time — be  not  in  haste  ;  and  observe  to 
have  all  things  prepared  before  you.  And  let  honour- 
able men  be  appointed,  even  wise  men,  and  send  them 
to  purchase  these  lands  ;  and  every  church  in  the 
eastern  countries,  when  they  are  built  up,  if  they  will 
hearken  unto  this  counsel,  they  may  buy  lands  and 
gather  together  upon  them ;  in  this  way  they  may 
establish  Zion." 

This  document  produced  a  great  sensation 
throughout  the  ranks  of  Mormonism.  The 
priests  carried  copies  of  it  to  all  their  congre- 
gations, some  of  which  are  said  to  have  been 
sold  for  one  dollar  each.  It  was  equivalent  to 
a  declaration  of  war,  and  the  expedition  grow- 
ing out  of  it  deserves  distinction  in  history,  as 
the  first  Mormon  crusade.  We  should  hardly 
think  of  adding  the  following  particulars,  had 
they  not  been  already  drawn  up  to  our  hand  by 
Mr.  Howe,  on  the  authority  of  an  eye  witness, 
one  of  the  sharp-shooters  mentioned  below. 

<;  Old  muskets,  rifles,  pistols,  rusty  swords,  and 
butcher-knives  were  soon  put  in  a  state  of  repair,  and 
scoured  up.  Some  were  borrowed,  and  some  were 
bought,  on  a  credit,  if  possible,  and  others  wrere  man- 
ufactured by  their  own  mechanics.  The  1st  of  May 
following  being  finally  fixed  upon,  as  the  time  of  set- 
ting out  on  the  crusade,  '  my  warriors,'  which  were 
scattered  in  most  of  the  eastern  and  northern  states, 
previous  to  that  time,  began  to  assemble  at  the  quar- 


IJ2     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

ters  of  the  prophet,  in  Kirtland,  preparatory  to  march- 
ing. Several  places  further  west  were  also  selected 
for  rendezvous,  to  those  living  in  that  direction.  All 
the  faithful  pressed  forward  ;  but  the  services  of  some 
were  refused  by  the  prophet,  in  consequence  of  their 
not  being  able,  from  their  own  resources,  to  furnish 
some  instrument  of  death,  and  five  dollars  in  cash. 

"  On  the  second  day  of  their  march,  they  arrived 
at  New  Portage,  about  forty  miles  distant,  where 
about  one  hundred  more  fell  into  the  ranks.  Here 
the  whole  were  organized  into  bands  of  fourteen  men, 
each  band  having  a  captain,  baggage  wagon,  tents, 
&c.  Just  before  leaving  this  place,  Smith  proposed 
to  his  army  that  they  should  appoint  a  treasurer  to 
take  possession  of  the  funds  of  each  individual,  for 
the  purpose  of  paying  it  out  as  he  should  think  their 
necessities  required.  The  measure  was  carried, 
without  a  dissenting  voice.  The  prophet  was  no- 
minated and  voted  in  as  treasurer,  no  one,  of 
course,  doubting  his  right.  After  pocketing  the  cash 
of  his  dupes,  the  line  of  march  was  resumed,  and  a 
white  flag  raised,  bearing  upon  it  the  inscription  of 
*  PEACE,'  written  in  red. 

"  Somewhere  on  their  route  a  large  black  snake 
was  discovered  near  the  road,  over  five  feet  in  length. 
This  offered  a  fair  opportunity  for  some  of  the  com- 
pany to  try  their  skill  at  miracles,  and  Martin  Harris 
took  off  his  shoes  and  stockings,  to  *  take  up  serpents,' 
without  being  harmed.  He  presented  his  toes  to  the 
head  of  the  snake,  which  made  no  attempt  to  bite ; 
upon  which  Martin  proclaimed  a  victory  over  ser- 
pents :  but  passing  on  a  few  rods  further,  another  of 
much  larger  dimensions  was  discovered,  and  on  pre- 
senting his  bare  foot  to  this  one  also,  he  received  a 
bite  in  the  ankle,  which  drew  blood.  This  was  im 
puted  to  his  want  of  faith,  and  produced  much  merri- 
ment to  the  company. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    113 

"  A  large  mound  was  one  day  discovered,  upon 
which  General  Smith  ordered  an  excavation  to  be 
made  into  it :  and  about  one  foot  from  the  top  of  the 
ground,  the  bones  of  a  human  skeleton  were  found, 
which  were  carefully  laid  out  upon  a  board,  when 
Smith  made  a  speech,  prophesying  or  declaring  that 
they  were  the  remains  of  a  celebrated  general  among 
the  Nephites,  mentioning  his  name,  and  the  battle  in 
which  he  was  slain,  some  fifteen  hundred  years  ago. 
This  was  undoubtedly  done  to  encourage  the  troops 
to  deeds  of  daring,  when  they  should  meet  the  Mis- 
sourians  in  battle  array. 

"  On  arriving  at  Salt  Creek,  Illinois,  they  were 
joined  by  Lyman  Wight  and  Hyrum  Smith,  (brother 
of  the  prophet,)  with  a  reinforcement  of  twenty  men, 
which  they  had  picked  up  on  the  way.  Here  the 
grand  army,  being  fully  completed,  encamped  for  the 
space  of  three  days.  The  whole  number  was  now 
estimated  at  two  hundred  and  twenty,  rank  and  file. 
During  their  stay  here,  the  troops  were  kept  under  a 
constant  drill  of  manual  exercise  with  guns  and 
swords,  and  their  arms  put  in  a  state  of  repair — the 
prophet  became  very  expert  with  a  sword,  and  felt 
himself  equal  to  his  prototype  Coriantumr.  He  had 
the  best  sword  in  the  army,  an  elegant  brace  of  pis- 
tols, which  were  purchased  on  a  credit  of  six  months, 
a  rifle,  and  four  horses.  Wight  was  appointed  second 
in  command,  or  fighting  general,  who,  together  with 
the  prophet,  had  an  armour  bearer  appointed,  select- 
ed from  among  the  most  expert  tactitians,  whose  duty 
it  was  to  be  in  constant  attendance  upon  their  masters 
with  their  arms.  The  generals  then  appointed  a  new 
captain  to  each  band,  organized  two  companies  of 
rangers,  or  sharp-shooters,  to  act  as  scouts  or  flank- 
ers, when  they  should  arrive  upon  the  field  of  car- 
nage. After  this  they  dubbed  themselves  the  '  army 
of  ZiionJ  and  Hyrum  Smith  was  chosen  to  carry  the 


114     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

flag,  which  he  kept  unfurled  during  the  remainder  of 
the  march. 

"  The  march  of  the  grand  army  was  then  resumed 
for  two  or  three  days,  when  it  was  agreed  to  spend 
half  a  day  in  a  sham  fight.  For  this  purpose  four 
divisions  were  formed,  and  took  positions,  and  went 
to  work,  agreeably  to  the  most  approved  forms  of 
Bonaparte,  Black  Hawk,  Coriantumr,  or  Shiz.  After 
coming  to  close  quarters,  however,  all  discipline  was 
lost  sight  of,  and  each  one  adopted  a  mode  agreeable 
to  his  taste.  Some  preferred  the  real  British  push 
with  the  bayonet,  some  the  old  Kentucky  dodging 
from  tree  to  tree,  while  others  preferred  the  Laman- 
ite  mode  of  tomahawking,  scalping,  and  ripping  open 
the  bowels.  The  final  result  was,  that  several  guns 
and  swords  were  broken,  some  of  the  combatants 
wounded,  and  each  one  well  pleased  with  his  own 
exploits. 

"  After  crossing  the  Mississippi,  spies  on  horseback 
were  kept  constantly  on  the  look  out,  several  miles 
in  front  and  rear.  The  prophet  went  in  disguise, 
changing  his  dress  frequently,  riding  on  the  different 
baggage  wagons,  and,  to  all  appearance,  expecting 
every  moment  to  be  his  last.  Near  the  close  of  one 
day  they  approached  a  prairie,  which  was  thirty 
miles  in  extent,  without  inhabitants.  Here  an  alter- 
cation took  place  between  the  two  generals,  which 
almost  amounted  to  a  mutiny.  The  prophet  declared 
it  was  not  safe  to  stay  there  over  night,  as  the  enemy 
would  probably  be  upon  them.  General  Wight  to- 
tally refused  to  enter  the  prairie,  as  they  would  not 
be  able  to  find  water,  or  to  build  a  fire  to  cook  their 
provisions,  besides  the  great  fatigue  it  would  cause 
the  troops.  Smith  said  he  would  show  them  how  to 
eat  raw  pork.  Hyrum  said  he  knew,  by  the  Spirit, 
that  it  was  dangerous  to  stay  there.  The  prophet 
finally  exclaimed,  '  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  March 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     115 

on  :'  this  settled  the  matter,  and  they  all  moved  on 
about  fifteen  miles,  and  thinking  themselves  out  of 
danger,  they  encamped  beside  a  muddy  pool. 

"  Here  the  controversy  was  again  renewed  be- 
tween the  two  generals.  Smith  said  '  he  knew  ex- 
actly when  to  pray,  when  to  sing,  when  to  talk,  and 
when  to  laugh,  by  the  Spirit  of  God  ;  that  God  never 
commanded  any  one  to  pray  for  his  enemies.'  The 
whole  seemed  much  dissatisfied,  and  came  nigh  break- 
ing out  into  open  mutiny. 

"  The  prophet  had,  besides  his  other  weapons,  a 
large  bull  dog,  which  was  exceedingly  cross  during 
the  nights,  and  frequently  attempted  to  bite  persons 
stirring  about.  One  of  the  captains,  (a  high  priest,) 
one  evening,  declared  to  the  prophet  that  he  would 
shoot  the  dog,  if  he  ever  attempted  to  bite  him. 
Smith  replied,  '  that  if  he  continued  in  the  same  spi- 
rit, and  did  not  repent,  the  dog  would  yet  eat  the  flesh 
off  his  bones,  and  he  would  not  have  the  power  to 
resist.'  This  was  the  commencement  of  a  contro- 
versy between  the  prophet  and  his  high  priest  which 
was  not  settled  till  some  time  after  their  return  to 
head  quarters,  in  Kirtland,  when  the. former  under- 
went a  formal  trial  on  divers  serious  charges,  before 
his  priests,  honourably  acquitted,  and  the  latter  made 
to  acknowledge  that  he  had  been  possessed  of  seve- 
ral devils  for  many  weeks.  The  dog,  however,  a 
few  nights  after  the  controversy  commenced,  was  shot 
through  the  leg  by  a  sentinel,  near  the  prophet's  tent, 
and  died  instantly. 

"  When  within  twelve  miles  of  Liberty,  Clay  coun- 
ty, Mo.,  the  '  army  of  Zion1  was  met  by  two  gentle- 
men, who  had  been  deputed  by  the  citizens  of  another 
county,  for  the  purpose  of  inquiring  into  the  motive 
and  object  of  such  a  hostile  and  warlike  appearance 
upon  their  borders.  These  gentlemen  openly  warned 
the  military  band  and  their  prophet  to  desist  from 


116     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

their  intended  operations,  and  leave  the  settlement  of 
their  difficulties  with  the  people  of  Jackson  county, 
in  other  hands — advised  them  to  be  very  careful  what 
they  did  and  said,  as  the  citizens  of  not  only  Jackson, 
hut  some  of  the  adjacent  counties,  were  very  much 
enraged  and  excited,  and  were  fully  determined  to 
resist  the  first  attempt  upon  them  by  an  armed  force 
from  other  states.  A  few  hours  after  this,  the  pro- 
phet brought  out  a  revelation,  for  the  use  of  his 
troops,  which  said,  in  substance,  that  '  they  had  been 
tried,  even  as  Abraham  was  tried,  and  the  offering 
was  accepted  by  the  Lord  ;  and  when  Abraham  re- 
ceived his  reward,  they  would  receive  theirs.'  Upon 
this  the  war  was  declared  to  be  at  an  end.  A  call 
for  volunteers,  however,  was  made,  to  take  up  their 
abode  in  Clay  county,  when  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  turned  out.  The  next  day  they  marched  to 
Liberty,  and  each  man  received  an  honourable  dis- 
charge, under  the  signature  of  General  Wight.  The 
army  then  scattered  in  different  directions,  some 
making  their  way  back  from  whence  they  came,  the 
best  way  they  could,  begging  their  expenses  from  the 
inhabitants.  The  prophet  and  his  chief  men,  how- 
ever, had  plenty  of  money,  and  travelled  as  gentle- 
men do." 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Theological  studies — Book  of  Doctrines  and  Cove- 
nants— The  name  of  Latter-day  Saints  adopted — Specula- 
tion in  mummies — Manuscript  of  Abraham — Authorities 
of  the  church — Description  of  the  temple — Closing  scenes 
in  Ohio. 

WE  now  return  to  consider  the  progress  of 
things  at  Kirtland,  in  connection  with  which  we 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     117 

shall  note  several  particulars  respecting  the 
organization  and  discipline  of  the  Mormon 
church. 

"  In  the  fall,  and  early  part  of  the  winter  of  1835, 
the  elders  gathered  in  to  Kirtland,  to  the  number  of 
three  or  four  hundred,  who  remained  there  through 
the  winter.  Schools  were  instituted  for  the  use  of 
the  elders  and  others.  Some  studied  grammar  and 
other  branches :  they  also  employed  the  Hebrew 
teacher,  Mr.  Seixas,  who  gave  them  much  insight, 
in  a  short  time,  into  that  language.  They  had  been 
previously  commanded  to  seek  learning,  and  study 
the  best  books,  and  get  a  knowledge  of  countries, 
kingdoms,  languages,  &c.,  which  inspired  them  with 
an  extravagant  thirst  after  knowledge." 

About  this  period  a  theological  class  was 
formed,  which  was  instructed  by  a  series  of 
lectures.  These  lectures,  six  in  number,  are 
imbodied  in  the  Book  of  Doctrines  and  Cove- 
nants, together  with  the  current  revelations 
received  up  to  that  time  ;  and  also  their  gene- 
ral discipline,  as  compiled  by  a  committee. 
The  former  constitute  their  principal  body  of 
divinity.  Each  of  the  six  is  upon  the  subject 
of  faith.  Into  faith  every  thing  else  is  resolved. 
Even  the  Deity  is  said  to  work  only  by  faith ! 
"  Faith  is  the  principle  of  power  :  it  is  the  prin- 
ciple by  which  Jehovah  works,  and  through 
which  he  exercises  power  over  all  temporal  as 
well  as  eternal  things." 

Very  few  references  are  made  in  them  to  the 
Book  of  Mormon  ;  and  save  some  peculiar  ex- 
pressions, which  are  often  repeated,  such  as, 
"  Whose  course  is  one  eternal  round,"  the  reader 


118     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

would  scarcely  know  that  these  lectures  had 
any  thing  to  do  with  Mormonism. 

Whenever  any  quotation  from  Scripture  is 
introduced,  these  words  are  added,  (new  trans- 
lation.) Said  new  translation,  or,  as  it  has  been 
fitly  denominated,  alteration  of  the  Bible,  was 
made  by  Smith  and  Rigdon  a  long  time  since, 
but  has  not  yet  been  published  entire.  From 
the  specimens  before  us,  it  would  appear  that 
they  did  not  take  the  trouble  to  transcribe  tVe 
whole  text,  and  examine  every  word  critically, 
like  other  translators,  of  which,  by  the  way, 
neither  of  them  is  capable  ;  but  they  have  only 
meddled  with  such  passages  as  relate,  in  some 
way,  to  their  peculiar  views.  These  they  have, 
with  a  ruthless  hand,  paraphrased,  substituted, 
or  interpolated,  as  suited  them  best.  The  pub- 
lication of  this  new  translation  (!)  is  still  deem- 
ed an  object  of  importance  with  the  Mormons. 
The  plain  word  of  truth  gives  no  countenance 
to  their  vagaries  ;  and  hence,  doubtless,  when 
they  get  sufficient  funds  to  publish  the  work,  we 
shall,  in  addition  to  the  Mormon  Bible,  have  the 
HOLY  BIBLE  MORMONIZED  !  Query.  What  cor- 
rections will  be  made  in  those  numerous  pas- 
sages which  the  writer  of  the  Book  of  Mormon 
has  plagiarised  from  the  common  version  of 
the  Scriptures  ? 

If  it  were  our  desire  to  exhibit  the  ridiculous, 
it  would  only  be  necessary  to  copy  some  of  the 
pretended  revelations  recorded  in  the  Book  of 
Doctrines  and  Covenants.  But  we  forbear ; 
observing,  that  this  book  appears  to  have  never 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     119 

been  designed  for  any  but  the  initiated ;  and, 
recently,  strenuous  efforts  have  been  made  to 
suppress  it  entirely.  The  next  edition  will 
probably  be  revised  and  modified  to  suit  the 
times.  Many  peculiarities  of  the  system  have, 
from  the  first,  been  guarded  as  mysteries ;  and 
yet  when  the  prophet  or  his  head  men  converse 
with  "  outside  barbarians,"  the  latter  are  sadly 
belaboured  for  their  ignorance  of  Mormon  tech- 
nicalities. 

For  several  years  no  other  name  was  used 
to  designate  this  sect,  than  that  which  they  na- 
turally derived  from  their  new  Bible.  It  was 
not  until  about  the  time  the  "  army  of  Zion"  set 
out  for  Missouri,  that  this  redoubtable  church 
deemed  it  necessary,  at  once,  to  christen  and 
to  canonize  themselves.  In  accomplishing  this, 
they  departed  from  their  usual  order. 

Express  revelations  had  hitherto  been  re- 
ceived, forbidding  them  to  chew  tobacco — to 
feed  corn  to  their  horses — and  directing  expli- 
citly in  other  insignificant  matters  :  but  now 
that  a  cognomen  is  to  be  selected  for  this  pecu- 
liar people,  they  are  left  entirely  to  human 
counsel. 

Mr.  Howe  says, — 

"  On  the  morning  of  their  departure,  a  meeting  was 
assembled,  and  proceeded  to  business,  after  the  man- 
ner of  the  world,  by  appointing  the  prophet  chairman, 
and  Cowdery  secretary.  Whereupon  Rigdon  moved 
that  they  hereafter  assume  the  title  and  name  of  the 
'  Church  of  the  Latter-day  Saints,'  discarding  the 
name  of  Mormonite,  which  thev  began  to  consider 


120     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

rather  a  reproach.  This  was  carried  unanimously, 
of  course.  What  their  particular  object  was  in  the 
movement,  at  that  crisis,  we  have  not  been  able  to 
understand,  unless  it  was  for  the  purpose  of  denying, 
in  the  most  positive  terms,  as  they  passed  through 
the  country,  that  they  were  Mormonites,  thereby  de- 
ceiving the  people  as  to  their  true  character,  objects, 
and  intentions." 

On  a  certain  occasion  they  purchased,  for 
what  especial  object  we  are  not  certified,  four 
Egyptian  mummies.  One  of  these  Smith  is 
said  to  have  ascertained  to  be  Pharaoh's  daugh- 
ter !  Accompanying  these  "  subjects"  was  a 
specimen  of  Egyptian  hieroglyphics,  on  a  roll 
of  papyrus.  This  "  writing"  the  prophet  roundly 
asserts  to  be  "  a  manuscript  of  old  Abraham ;" 
and  by  means  of  it  he  professes  to  interpret 
Scripture,  particularly  the  writings  of  Moses, 
as  though  Abraham  had  lived  at  a  proper  period 
for  preparing  a  gloss  on  the  Pentateuch ! 

It  may  seem  incredible  to  many  that  such 
palpable  absurdities  should  be  gravely  asserted 
by  any  human  being.  The  writer  is  prepared, 
in  this  instance,  to  add  his  personal  testimony, 
having  heard  this  assertion  from  the  lips  of  the 
prophet.  On  presuming  to  ask  what  evidence 
there  was  that  the  record  in  question  was  made 
by  Abraham,  said  prophet  seemed  moved  with 
anger.  One  of  his  obsequious  followers,  know- 
ing the  infirmities  of  his  ghostly  guide,  replied 
for  him  :  "  Evidence  enough,  sir  :  why,  if  you 
could  only  see  it  you  would  not  doubt :  there 
is  old  Abraham  himself  all  pictured  out !"  Pre- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     121 

sident  Joseph  soon  deigned  to  add,  "  Besides, 
papyrus  has  never  been  manufactured  since 
Abraham's  day !" 

Now,  when  such  contradictory  falsehoods 
can  be  unblushingly  put  forth,  and  implicitly 
believed  as  truth,  we  ask,  what  outrage  may 
not  be  perpetrated  upon  the  human  understand- 
ing? 

The  discipline  and  ecclesiastical  polity  of 
the  Mormon  church  are  thus  summed  up  by 
Mr.  Corrill. 

"  There  are  in  the  church  two  priesthoods.  First, 
the  Melchisedec,  or  high  priesthood,  also  called  the 
greater  priesthood ;  second,  the  Aaronic,  or  lesser 
priesthood.  In  the  first,  or  Melchisedec  priesthood, 
were  ordained  high  priests  and  elders ;  in  the  second 
were  ordained  priests,  teachers,  and  deacons.  Each 
different  grade  chose  one  of  its  number  to  preside 
over  the  rest,  who  was  called  president,  and  whose 
duty  it  was  to  call  together  those  over  whom  he  pre- 
sided, at  stated  times,  to  edify  one  another,  and  re- 
ceive instruction  from  him.  The  first,  or  high  priest- 
hood, was  to  stand  at  the  head  of,  and  regulate  the 
spiritual  concerns,  of  the  church  ;  the  second,  or  les- 
ser priesthood,  was  to  administer  in  the  ordinances, 
and  attend  to  the  temporal  concerns  of  the  church. 
Three  of  the  high  priests  were  chose  and  set  apart 
by  the  church  to  preside  over  all  the  churches,  of  that 
order,  in  all  the  world,  and  were  called  presidents, 
and  constituted  what  is  called  the  first  presidency. 
Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  Sidney  Rigdon,  and  Hyrum 
Smith,  are  the  persons  at  present.  The  church  that 
was  to  be  established  in  Jackson  county  was  called 
Zion,  the  centre  of  gathering,  and  those  established 
by  revelation,  in  other  places,  were  called  stakes  of 


122     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

Zion,  or  stakes ;  hence  the  stake  at  Kirtland,  the 
stake  at  Far  West,  the  stake  at  Adamondiamon,  &c. 
Each  stake  was  to  have  a  presidency,  consisting  of 
three  high  priests,  chosen  and  set  apart  for  that  pur- 
pose, whose  jurisdiction  was  confined  to  the  limits  of 
the  stake  over  which  they  took  the  watch  care. 
There  was  also  to  be  a  high  council,  consisting  of 
twelve  high  priests,  established  at  each  stake,  also  a 
bishop,  who  stood  at  the  head  of  the  lesser  priest- 
hood, and  administered  in  temporal  things  ;  he  had 
two  counsellors  who,  with  himself,  formed  a  court  to 
try  transgressors.  If  two  members  had  a  difficulty, 
they  were  to  settle  it  between  themselves,  or  by  the 
assistance  of  another,  according  to  the  Scriptures  : 
but  if  they  could  not  do  this,  then  it  went  before  the 
bishop's  court  for  trial ;  but  if  either  party  was  dis- 
satisfied with  the  bishop's  decision,  he  could  appeal 
it  to  the  high  council.  There  was  also  a  travelling 
high  council,  consisting  of  twelve  high  priests,  called 
the  twelve  apostles,  or  THE  TWELVE,  whose  duty  it 
was  to  travel  and  preach  the  gospel  to  all  the  world. 
They  were  also  to  regulate  the  church  in  all  places 
where  it  was  not  properly  organized.  One  of  their 
number  presided  over  the  rest  in  their  councils. 
There  were  other  bodies  formed,  called  the  seven- 
ties, consisting  of  seventy  elders  each,  (not  high 
priests,)  seven  of  whom  presided  over  the  rest  in 
their  councils.  These  seventies  were  to  travel  and 
preach  in  all  the  world,  under  the  direction  of  the 
twelve,  who  were  to  open  or  lead  the  way,  and  then 
call  upon  the  seventies  for  assistance.  There  were 
three  of  these  bodies  formed,  called  the  first,  second, 
and  third  seventies.  The  first  presidency,  the  high 
council,  the  twelve,  and  each  of  the  seventies,  were 
equal  in  power,  that  is  to  say,  each  had  a  right  to  dis- 
cipline their  own  members,  and  transact  other  busi- 
ness of  the  church  within  their  calling,  and  a  domion 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     123 

of  either  one  of  these  bodies,  when  in  regular  session, 
could  not  be  appealed  from  to  any  other,  for  one  had 
no  right  or  power  to  reverse  or  overthrow  the  judg- 
ment or  decision  of  the  other,  but  they  could  all  be 
called  together  and  form  a  conference,  consisting  of 
all  the  authorities,  to  which  an  appeal  could  be  taken 
from  either  one,  and  the  decision  reversed.  These 
were  the  regular  constituted  authorities  of  the  church ; 
but,  besides  this,  Smith  and  Rigdon  taught  the  church 
that  these  authorities,  in  ruling  or  watching  over  the 
church,  were  nothing  more  than  servants  to  the 
church,  and  that  the  church,  as  a  body,  had  the  power 
in  themselves  to  do  any  thing  that  either  or  all  of 
these  authorities  could  do  ;  and  that  if  either  or  all  of 
these  constituted  authorities  became  deranged  or 
broken  down,  or  did  not  perform  their  duty  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  church,  the  church  had  a  right  to 
rise  up  in  a  body  and  put  them  out  of  office,  make 
another  selection,  and  reorganize  them,  and  thus  keep 
in  order,  for  the  power  was  in  the  people,  and  not  in 
the  servants.  The  high  priests,  elders,  and  priests, 
were  to  travel  and  preach,  but  the  teachers  and  dea- 
cons were  to  be  standing  ministers  to  the  church. 
Hence,  in  the  last  organizing  of  the  church,  each 
branch  of  the  church  chose  a  teacher  to  preside  over 
them,  whose  duty  it  was  to  take  particular  charge  of 
that  branch,  and  report  from  time  to  time  to  the  ge- 
neral conference  of  elders,  which  was  to  be  held 
quarterly.  For  some  time  after  the  commencement 
of  the  church  an  elder  might  ordain  an  elder,  priest, 
teacher,  or  deacon,  when  and  where  he  thought  pro- 
per ;  but,  after  stakes  were  planted,  and  the  church 
became  organized,  they  established  a  rule  that  none 
should  be  ordained  without  consent  of  the  church  or 
branch  that  he  belonged  to  ;  neither  should  any  man 
be  placed  over  a  branch  or  take  charge  of  it,  without 
consent  of  the  same." 


.124     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

The  office,  of  bishop  is  more  fully  described 
by  Mr.  Booth. 

"  His  business  is  to  superintend  the  SECULAR  con- 
cerns of  the  church.  He  holds  a  deed  of  the  lands, 
and  the  members  receive  a  writing  from  him,  signi- 
fying that  they  are  to  possess  the  land  as  their  own, 
so  long  as  they  are  obedient  to  Smith's  command- 
ments. The  bishop  is,  in  reality,  the  vicegerent  of 
Smith,  and  those  in  coalition  with  him  ;  and  holds  his 
office  during  their  will  and  pleasure." 

The  reader  may  be  anxious  to  know  what 
kind  of  sacrifices  were  offered  at  Kirtland,  to 
render  so  many  PRIESTS  necessary  ;  but  we  are 
uninformed.  The  same  crude  fancy  that  in  the 
above  regulations  has  jumbled  up  the  priest- 
hoods of  Melchisedec  and  Aaron,  apostles, 
high  priests,  and  elders  together,  also  designed 
the  first  Mormon  temple,  which  was  built  in 
Kirtland,  at  an  expense  of  forty  thousand  dol- 
lars. As  the  corner-stone  of  a  similar  edifice 
has  been  recently  laid  at  Nauvoo,  their  present 
gathering-place,  it  may  not  be  uninteresting  to 
put  on  record  here  the  glory  of  the  former  house. 
It  has  been  thus  described  : — 

"  This  house  was  eighty  feet  by  sixty  ;  and  fifty- 
seven  feet  high  to  the  top  of  the  wall.  It  was  di- 
vided into  two  stories,  each  twenty-two  feet  high,  and 
arched  over  head.  Ten  feet  were  cut  off  from  the 
front  end  by  a  partition,  and  used  as  an  entrance  ; 
also  containing  the  stairs.  This  left  the  main  room 
fifty-five  by  sixty-five  in  the  clear,  both  below  and 
above.  In  each  of  these  rooms  were  built  two  pul- 
pits, one  in  each  end.  Each  pulpit  consisted  of  four 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     125 

different  apartments ;  the  fourth  standing  on  a  plat 
form  raised  a  suitable  height  above  the  floor ;  the 
third  stood  directly  behind,  and  elevated  a  little  above 
the  fourth  ;  the  second  in  rear  of  and  elevated  above 
the  third  ;  and  so  was  the  first  above  the  second. 
Each  of  these  apartments  was  just  large  enough,  and 
lightly  calculated  to  receive  three  persons  ;  and  the 
breast-work  in  front  of  each  of  these  three  last  men- 
tioned was  constituted  of  three  semi-circles,  joining 
each  other,  and  finished  in  good  style.  The  fourth, 
or  lower  one,  was  straight  in  front,  and  had  a  table- 
leaf  attached  to  it,  that  could  be  raised  at  pleasure, 
for  the  convenience  of  administering  the  sacrament, 
&c.  These  pulpits  were  alike  in  each  end  of  the 
house,  and  one  was  for  the  use  of  the  Melchisedec, 
or  high  priesthood,  and  the  other  for  the  Aaronic,  or 
lesser  priesthood.  The  first,  or  higher  apartment, 
was  occupied  by  the  first  presidency  over  all  the 
church  ;  the  second  apartment,  by  the  president  of  the 
high  priests  and  his  two  counsellors ;  the  third,  by 
three  of  the  high  priests  ;  and  the  fourth,  by  the  pre- 
sident of  the  elders  and  his  two  counsellors.  The 
highest  apartment  of  the  other  pulpit  was  occupied 
by  the  bishop  of  the  church  and  his  two  counsellors  ; 
the  next  by  the  president  of  the  priests  and  his  two 
counsellors  ;  the  third  by  the  president  of  the  teach- 
ers and  his  two  counsellors ;  and  the  fourth  by  the 
president  of  the  deacons  and  his  two  counsellors. 
Each  of  these  apartments  had  curtains  hanging  from 
the  ceiling,  over  head,  down  to  the  top  of  the  pulpit, 
which  could  be  rolled  up  or  dropped  down  at  plea- 
sure ;  and,  when  dropped  down,  would  completely 
exclude  those  within  the  apartment  from  the  sight  of 
all  others.  The  room  itself  was  finished  with  slips 
and  seats,  so  calculated  that,  by  slipping  the  seats  a 
little,  the  congregation  could  change  their  faces  to- 
ward either  pulpit  they  chose,  for  in  some  cases  the 


126     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

high  priesthood  would  administer,  and  in  other  cases 
the  lesser  would.  The  room  was  also  divided  into 
four  apartments,  hy  means  of  curtains  hanging  from 
the  ceiling,  over  head,  down  to  the  floor,  which  could 
be  rolled  up  at  pleasure,  so  that  the  room  could  be 
used  all  in  one,  or  divided  into  four  rooms,  and  used 
for  different  purposes.  Thus  the  house  was  con- 
structed to  suit  and  accommodate  the  different  orders 
of  priesthood  and  worship  peculiar  to  the  church." 

When  this  edifice  was  sufficiently  completed, 
a  solemn  assembly  was  convoked. 

When  the  temple  was  so  far  finished  as  to 
be  ready  for  the  "solemn  assembly,"  in  which 
they  were  to  purify  their  bodies  with  water, 
wash  each  other's  feet,  and  anoint  each  other 
with  oil,  pronouncing  mutual  blessings  on  each 
other  during  the  performance,  there  was  found 
to  have  accumulated  against  it  a  debt  of  fifteen 
or  twenty  thousand  dollars. 

"  As  the  house  had  been  built  by  faith,  as  they 
termed  it,  they  must  now  continue  their  faith,  and 
contrive  some  means  to  pay  the  debt.  Notwithstand- 
ing they  were  deeply  in  debt,  they  had  so  managed 
as  to  keep  up  their  credit,  so  they  concluded  to  try 
mercantile  business.  Accordingly,  they  ran  in  debt 
in  New- York,  and  elsewhere,  some  thirty  thousand 
dollars  for  goods,  and,  shortly  after,  some  fifty  or  six- 
ty thousand  more,  as  I  was  informed  :  but  they  did 
not  fully  understand  the  mercantile  business,  and, 
withal,  they  suffered  pride  to  arise  in  their  hearts, 
and  became  desirous  of  fine  houses,  and  fine  clothes, 
and  indulged  too  much  in  these  things,  supposing,  foi 
a  few  months,  that  they  were  very  rich.  They  also 
spent  some  thousands  of  dollars  in  building  a  stearn 
mill,  which  never  profited  them  any  thing.  They 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     127 

also  bought  many  farms  at  extravagant  prices,  and 
made  part  payments,  which  they  afterward  lost,  by 
not  being  able  to  meet  the  remaining  payments. 
They  also  got  up  a  bank,  for  which  they  could  get 
no  charter,  so  they  issued  their  paper  without  a  char- 
ter, and,  of  course,  they  could  not  collect  their  pay 
on  notes  received  for  loans,  and,  after  struggling  with 
it  awhile,  they  broke  down. 

"  During  their  mercantile  and  banking  operations, 
they  not  only  indulged  in  pride,  but  also  suffered 
jealousies  to  arise  among  them,  and  several  persons 
dissented  from  the  church,  and  accused  the  leaders 
of  the  church  with  bad  management,  selfishness, 
seeking  for  riches,  honour,  and  dominion ;  tyrannizing 
)ver  the  people,  and  striving  constantly  after  power 
ind  property.  On  the  other  hand,  the  leaders  of  the 
church  accused  the  dissenters  with  dishonesty,  want 
)f  faith,  and  righteousness  ;  being  wicked  in  their 
-  ntentions,  guilty  of  crimes,  such  as  stealing,  lying, 
encouraging  the  making  of  counterfeit  money,  &c.  ; 
and  this  strife  or  opposition  arose  to  a  great  height, 
so  that,  instead  of  pulling  together  as  brethren,  they 
tried  every  way  in  their  power,  seemingly,  to  destroy 
each  other ;  their  enemies  from  without  rejoiced  at 
this,  and  assisted  the  dissenters  what  they  could,  un- 
til Smith  and  Rigdon  finally  were  obliged  to  leave 
Kirtland,  and,  with  their  families,  they  carne  to  Far 
West,  in  March  or  April,  1838." 

By  comparingthe  above  statements  of  Mr.  Cor- 
rill  with  those  of  a  gentleman  residing  near  the 
spot,  we  shall  be  able  to  understand  the  circum- 
stances under  which  the  Mormons  abandoned 
their  first  "  eternal  inheritance. "  "  The  closing 
scenes  of  Mormonism  here  were  truly  revolt- 
ing arid  extraordinary,  exhibiting  as  much  black- 
hearted villany  as  was  ever  concocted  and  acted 


128     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

out  by  any  set  of  men  under  any  circumstances, 
while  for  every  new  scheme  of  knavery,  they 
had  a  '  Thus  saith  the  Lord,'  in  the  shape  of 
a  revelation  from  Smith.  I  will  only  glance  a.\ 
a  few  particulars. 

"  In  1836  they  formed  among  themselves  seve- 
ral large  mercantile  firms,  the  prophet,  of  course, 
being  a  partner  in  each ;  and  contrived,  by  means 
of  falsehood  and  deception,  to  procure  goods  in 
Buffalo  and  New- York,  to  the  amount  of  more 
than  thirty  thousand  dollars.  With  these  the  pro- 
phet and  his  priests  rigged  themselves  out  in  the 
most  costly  apparel,  at  the  top  of  the  fashions. 

"  Subsequently  they  had  a  revelation  com- 
manding them  to  establish  a  '  bank,  which 
should  swallow  up  all  other  banks.'  This  was 
soon  got  into  operation  on  a  pretended  capital  of 
four  millions  of  dollars,  made  up  of  real  estate 
round  about  the  temple.  By  means  of  great  acti- 
vity, and  an  actual  capital  of  about  five  thousand, 
they  succeeded  in  setting  afloat  from  fifty  to  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars.  This  concern  was 
closed  up,  after  flourishing  three  or  four  weeks. 
During  this  period,  the  land  speculation  had 
been  fully  entered  into  by  the  gang.  They 
contracted  for  nearly  all  the  land  within  a  mile 
and  a  half  of  the  temple,  laid  it  out  into  city 
lots,  and  proceeded  with  the  operation  of  buy- 
ing and  selling  lots  to  one  another  at  the  most 
extravagant  prices. 

"  But  their  career  was  soon  brought  to  a  close. 
Suits  were  instituted  against  them  under  the 
Jaws  against  private  banking,  and  Smith  and 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     129 

Rigdon  were  fined  one  thousand  dollars  each. 
Their  printing  establishment,  with  a  large  quan- 
tity of  books  and  paper,  was  taken  and  sold  to 
pay  the  judgment.  On  the  same  night  the  whole 
was  consumed  with  fire,  set  by  the  Mormons. 
This  was  followed  by  the  flight  of  the  prophet 
and  his  head  men  for  Missouri,  and  a  general 
breaking  up  of  the  establishment  in  this  quarter. 
Not  being  willing  to  leave  their  temple  in  the 
hands  of  the  '  infidels,'  they  made  several  at- 
tempts to  fire  it,  and  actually  burnt  down  a  small 
Methodist  chapel  standing  but  a  few  rods  dis- 
tant, expecting  it  would  communicate  to  the 
temple.  After  leaving,  the  prophet  sent  a  mes- 
sage to  his  followers,  making  known  to  them 
that  it  was  the  Lord's  will  that  they  should  im- 
mediately depart  for  the  west,  to  escape  the 
plagues  with  which  the  place  was  to  be  visited." 


CHAPTER  X. 

Progress  of  events  in  Missouri — Inflammatory  preach- 
ing— Secret  society — Hostilities — War  of  extermination 
— Cruelties  inseparable  from  such  an  order — Trial  of  the 
leaders — Testimony  before  the  court  of  inquiry — Charged 
as  ex  parte. 

THE  history  of  the  Mormon  difficulties  and 
persecutions  in  Missouri  has  already  been 
spread  before  the  community  in  various  forms. 
It  will  therefore  only  be  expected  of  us  to  give 
a  brief  summary  of  the  events  which  took  place, 
in  order  to  preserve  their  connection,  and  to 
9 


130    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

show  their  bearing.  After  all  that  we  have 
read  on  this  subject,  we  prefer  the  authority  of 
Mr.  Corrill,  and  shall,  to  some  extent,  make  use 
of  his  words. 

That  gentleman  was  personally  involved  in 
most  of  the  scenes  described,  and  therefore 
must  have  known  what  actually  took  place. 
Writing,  as  he  did,  at  once  for  his  Mormon 
friends,  and  for  the  people  of  Missouri,  he  may 
be  supposed  to  have  stated  the  facts  correctly, 
and  free  from  the  bias  which  has  been  given  to 
some  of  the  accounts  on  either  side. 

For  several  years  the  Mormons  had  been 
rapidly  settling  in  Clay  county,  where  they  had 
been  received  on  their  expulsion  from  Jackson. 
A  portion  of  the  people  there  also  began  to  grow 
uneasy  lest  they  should  be  overrun  with  the  new 
sect.  Without  any  sufficient  provocation,  these 
persons  continued  to  stir  up  excitement,  and  the 
Mormons  began  to  prepare  for  self-defence.  At 
length  the  more  rational  part  of  the  citizens  saw 
that  bloodshed  would  follow,  unless  something 
was  done.  They  accordingly  appointed  a  com- 
mittee, who  called  upon  the  Mormons  to  meet 
them  in  conference.  This  was  done,  and  the 
latter  agreed  to  leave  the  county,  the  committee 
assisting  them  to  procure  a  new  place  of  resi- 
dence. A  place  was  found  in  the  territory  of 
Ray  county,  since  organized  into  that  of  C aid- 
well  ;  the  people  of  the  vicinity  consenting  to 
the  arrangement. 

"  The  Mormons  purchased  great  quantities  of  land 
in  Caldwell  county,  made  improvements,  and  their 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     131 

works  plainly  show  that  they  were  industrious,  though 
they  laboured  under  many  disadvantages,  on  account 
of  their  poverty  and  former  difficulties.  Many  of 
them  were  obliged  to  seek  labour  in  the  neighbour- 
ing counties  for  their  bread.  The  people  gave  them 
employment,  and  many  of  them  also  borrowed  mo- 
ney, to  purchase  lands  with.  Friendship  began  to 
be  restored  between  them  and  their  neighbours,  the 
old  prejudices  were  fast  dying  away,  and  they  were 
doing  well,  until  the  summer  of  1838. 

"  Many  of  the  church  had  settled  in  Davies  coun- 
ty, and,  to  all  appearance,  lived  as  peaceably  with 
their  neighbours  as  people  generally  do  ;  but  not  long 
after  Smith  and  Rigdon  arrived  in  Far  West,  they 
went  to  Davies  county  and  pitched  upon  a  place  to 
build  a  town.  L.  Wight  was  already  on  the  ground 
with  his  family.  They  laid  out  a  town,  and  began  to 
settle  it  pretty  rapidly ;  Smith  gave  it  the  name  of 
Adamondiamon,  which  he  said  was  formerly  given 
to  a  certain  valley,  where  Adam,  previous  to  his 
death,  called  his  children  together  and  blessed  them. 
The  interpretation  in  English  is,  '  The  valley  of  God, 
in  which  Adam  blessed  his  children.'  Many  of  the 
church  became  elated  with  the  idea  of  settling  in  and 
round  about  the  new  town,  especially  those  who  had 
come  from  Kirtland,  as  it  was  designed  more  parti- 
cularly for  them.  This  stirred  up  the  people  of  Da- 
vies  in  some  degree  ;  they  saw  that  if  this  town  wras 
built  up  rapidly,  it  would  injure  Gallatin,  their  county 
seat,  and  also  that  the  Mormons  would  soon  overrun 
Davies,  and  rule  the  county,  and  they  did  not  like  to 
live  under  the  laws  and  administration  of '  Jo  Smith.' 
Lyman  Wight  also  would  frequently  boast  in  his  dis- 
courses of  what  they  would  do  if  the  mob  did  not  let 
them  alone, — they  would  fight,  and  they  would  die 
upon  the  ground,  and  they  would  not  give  up  their 
rights,  &c.,  when,  as  yet,  there  was  no  mob.  But 


132     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

this  preaching  inspired  the  Mormons  with  a  fighting 
spirit,  and  some  of  the  other  citizens  began  to  be 
stirred  up  to  anger." 

Great  difficulties  had  previously  arisen  among 
themselves,  growing  out  of  the  various  specula- 
tions into  which  the  church  had  plunged  ;  pro- 
ducing dissension,  distrust,  and  recrimination. 
In  order  to  pay  the  debts  in  New-York  and 
elsewhere,  many  of  the  church  in  Kirtland 
turned  out  their  farms,  and  stripped  themselves 
of  property,  taking  orders  on  the  bishop  in  Far 
West,  and  in  their  poverty  following  Smith  and 
Rigdon  as  soon  as  they  could. 

Various  attempts  had  been  made  to  reconcile 
the  mutual  grievances  and  animosities,  but  with- 
out entire  satisfaction.  The  dissenting  and 
accused  party  at  length  withdrew. 

"  Notwithstanding  the  dissenters  had  left  the 
church,  yet  the  old  strife  kept  up,  and  Smith  and 
Rigdon,  with  others,  complained  much  of  the  ill 
treatment  they  had  received  from  the  dissenters  and 
others  ;  they  said  they  had  been  persecuted  from 
time  to  time  with  vexatious  lawsuits  ;  that  mobs  had 
arisen  up  against  them,  time  after  time  ;  that  they 
had  been  harassed  to  death,  as  it  were,  for  seven  or 
eight  years,  and  they  were  determined  to  bear  it  no 
longer,  for  they  had  rather  die  than  suffer  such  things ; 
and  it  was  the  will  of  God  that  the  saints  should 
fight  their  death  rather  than  suffer  such  things ; 
that  if  the  church  would  be  united,  and  exercise  faith 
in  God,  he  would  protect  them,  though  their  enemies 
were  ever  so  numerous.  But  in  order  to  get  protec- 
tion and  favour  from  God,  they  must  become  one,  and 
be  perfectly  united  in  all  things  ;  cleanse  themselves 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     133 

from  every  kind  of  pollution,  and  keep  the  whole  law  of 
God  ;  and,  if  they  would  do  this,  God  would  strength- 
en them  against  their  enemies,  his  arm  should  be  their 
arm,  and  the  time  was  not  far  distant  when,  if  they 
purified  themselves  properly,  one  should  be  able  to 
chase  his  thousand,  and  two  put  ten  thousand  to  flight. 

"  This  kind  of  preaching  was  the  chief  topic  of 
conversation  all  that  summer,  until  many  of  the 
church  became  inspired  with  the  belief  that  God 
would  enable  them  to  stand  against  any  thing,  even 
the  state  of  Missouri,  or  the  United  States,  if  they 
should  come  in  a  mob. 

"  Some  time  in  June,  1838,  a  few  individuals  be- 
gan to  form  a  society  that  should  he  agreed  in  all 
things.  In  order  to  this,  they  bound  themselves  un- 
der very  close  restrictions.  As  this  society  began  to 
increase,  they  secretly  entered  into  solemn  covenants 
before  God,  and  bound  themselves  under  oath  to  keep 
the  secrets  of  the  society,  and  covenanted  to  stand  by 
one  another  in  difficulty,  whether  right  or  wrong,  but 
said  they  would  correct  each  other's  wrongs  among 
themselves.  As  the  presidency  stood  next  to  God, 
or  between  God  and  the  -church,  and  was  the  oracle 
through  which  the  word  and  will  of  God  were  com- 
municated to  the  church,  they  esteemed  it  very  es- 
sential to  have  their  word,  or  the  word  of  God  through 
them,  strictly  adhered  to.  They  therefore  entered 
into  a  covenant,  that  the  word  of  the  presidency 
should  be  obeyed,  arid  none  should  be  suffered  to 
raise  his  hand  or  voice  against  it ;  for,  as  they  stood 
at  the  head  of  the  church,  it  was  considered  no  more 
than  reasonable  that  they  knew  more  of  the  will  of 
God  than  any  others  did  ;  consequently,  all  things 
must  be  in  submission  to  them,  and,  moreover,  all 
tattling,  lying,  and  backbiting  must  be  put  down,  and 
he  that  would  not  submit  willingly,  should  be  forced 
to  it,  or  leave  the  county. 


]  34     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

"  Who  first  started  this  society  I  know  not,  but 
Doctor  Samson  Arvard  was  the  most  prominent 
leader  and  instructer,  and  was  assisted  by  others. 
The  first  presidency  did  not  seem  to  have  much  to 
do  with  it  at  first :  they  would,  however,  go  into  their 
meetings  occasionally,  and  sanction  their  doings. 
Arvard  was  very  forward  and  indefatigable  in  ac- 
complishing their  purposes,  for  he  devoted  his  whole 
talents  to  it,  and  spared  no  pains ;  and,  I  thought, 
was  as  grand  a  villain  as  his  wit  and  ability  \vould 
admit  of. 

"  How  much  he  was  assisted  by  the  presidency  I 
know  not,  but  I  thought  that  they  stood  as  wire- 
workers  behind  the  curtain.  Be  this  as  it  may,  they 
ran  into  awful  extremes,  for  it  seemed  that  they  felt 
justified,  and  thought  it  was  the  will  of  God,  to  use 
any  measures  whatever,  whether  lawful  or  unlawful, 
to  accomplish  their  purpose,  and  put  down  those  that 
opposed  them.  In  this  they  perverted  the  former 
belief  and  notions  of  the  church ;  for  the  church  al- 
ways believed  that  judgments,  pestilence,  disease, 
famine,  great  troubles  and  vexations,  were  sooner  or 
later  to  be  poured  out  up*n  all  the  wicked,  and  cut 
them  off  in  the  course  of  time,  and  this,  they  sup- 
posed, would  be  done  by  God  himself,  and  the  object 
of  gathering  together  was,  that  they  might  purify 
themselves,  and  stand  in  holy  places  appointed  of  God 
for  that  purpose,  and  thus  escape  these  judgments. 
But  now  it  began  to  be  taught  that  the  church,  in- 
stead of  God,  or,  rather,  the  church  in  the  hands  of 
God,  was  to  bring  about  these  things  ;  and  I  was  told, 
but  I  cannot  vouch  for  the  truth  of  it,  that  some  of 
them  went  so  far  as  to  contrive  plans  how  they  might 
scatter  poison,  pestilence,  and  disease  among  the  in- 
habitants, and  make  them  think  it  was  judgments  sent 
from  God.  But  here  let  me  remark,  that  this  was 
known  only  to  some  half  dozen  or  so  of  the  leaders, 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     135 


and  not  to  the  church,  nor  even  the  great  majority  of 
this  secret  society. 

"  The  church  celebrated  the  fourth  of  July,  by 
raising  a  liberty  pole,  on  which  they  hoisted  the  Ame- 
rican flag.  They  also  formed  a  civil  and  military 
procession,  and  President  Rigdon  delivered  an  ora- 
tion, containing  the  following  and  similar  sentences  : 
4  We  take  God  to  witness,  and  the  holy  angels  to 
witness  this  day,  that  we  warn  all  men,  in  the  name 
of  Jesus  Christ,  to  come  on  us  no  more  for  ever. 
The  man  or  the  set  of  men  who  attempt  it,  do  it  at 
the  expense  of  their  lives  ;  and  that  mob  that  comes 
on  us  to  disturb  us,  there  shall  be  between  us  and 
them  a  war  of  extermination,  for  we  will  follow  them 
till  the  last  drop  of  their  blood  is  spilled,  or  else  they 
will  have  to  exterminate  us  ;  for  we  will  carry  the 
war  to  their  own  houses,  and  their  own  families,  and 
one  party  or  the  other  shall  be  utterly  destroyed.'" 

Not  long  after  this,  an  affray  occurred  at  an 
election  which  fanned  the  flame  of  discord  on 
both  sides.  Thus  mutual  provocation  and  injury 
progressed,  until  open  hostilities  ensued.  The 
excitement  growing  worse  and  worse,  two  or 
three  hundred  men  assembled  in  Davies  county, 
and  appointed  Doctor  Austin,  of  Carroll,  as  their 
leader.  The  Mormons  also  collected  at  Ada- 
mondiamon,  under  L.  Wight,  ready  for  defence. 
Sentinels  were  kept  out  by  both  parties,  who 
reconnoitered  the  country  as  they  thought  pro- 
per. A  party  of  Austin's  men  fired  on  two  Mor- 
mons, one  of  whom  escaped,  the  other  was 
taken  prisoner. 

The  former  sent  to  Richmond  to  procure 
sixty  or  eighty  stands  of  arms.  The  wagon 


136     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

conveying  them  broke  down.  The  Mormons, 
getting  news  of  this,  sent  ten  men,  who  got 
possession  of  the  arms,  and  made  three  prison- 
ers. Five  hundred  militia  were  at  length  called 
out,  and  both  these  parties  dispersed. 

A  little  previous  to  this,  the  citizens  of  Car- 
roll had  held  meetings,  and  resolved  to  drive  the 
Mormons  from  that  county.  About  three  hun- 
dred persons  collected  for  this  purpose  in  De- 
witt,  and  also  appointed  Doctor  Austin  for  their 
commander. 

The  Mormons,  though  weak  in  that  place, 
prepared  for  defence,  under  command  of  Col. 
Hinkle.  About  a  hundred,  including  Smith  and 
Rigdon,  went  from  Far  West  to  their  assistance. 
This  outbreak  was  at  length  quelled  also  by  the 
militia.  Both  parties  were  now  so  deeply  irri- 
tated, that  the  various  rumours  set  afloat  re- 
specting one  another's  designs  and  movements, 
soon  provoked  exasperation.  In  cases  like  this, 
the  greater  amount  of  injury  is  almost  invariably 
chargeable  on  the  stronger  party,  although  the 
weaker  may  not  be  guiltless.  This  we  pre- 
sume to  have  been  true  in  the  present  instance 
Nevertheless,  there  was  a  period  in  which  the 
Mormons  appear  to  have  been  the  chief  aggres- 
sors. They  certainly  took  measures  calculated 
greatly  to  lessen  the  sympathy  naturally  felt  in 
their  lot,  as  well  as  to  aggravate  the  difficulties 
in  which  they  were  involved.  There  may  have 
been  palliating  circumstances,  but  justice  can- 
not fail  to  attribute  this  conduct,  generally,  to 
the  extreme  infatuation  to  which  their  minds 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     137 

had  been  wrought,  up  by  the  preaching  and  ex- 
ample of  their  leaders. 

Returning  from  Carroll  county  in  a  state  of 
highly  excited  feeling,  Smith  preached  on  Sun- 
day, and  requested  a  meeting  of  all  the  male 
members  the  next  day. 

"  They  accordingly  met,  and  passed  resolutions  to 
the  following  effect : — All  the  members  of  the  church 
should  take  hold  and  help  ;  those  who  had  been  back- 
ward in  carrying  on  the  warfare  should  now  come 
forward,  and  their  property  should  be  consecrated,  so 
far  as  might  be  necessary,  for  the  use  of  the  army. 
If  any  man  undertook  to  leave  the  place,  and  go  to 
the  enemy,  he  should  be  stopped  and  brought  back, 
or  lose  his  life.  As  soon  as  this  meeting  was  over, 
they  collected  upon  the  public  square,  and  called  for 
volunteers.  About  two  hundred  wrere  raised  to  go  to 
Davies  county.  Others  were  raised  to  guard  Far 
West.  A  company,  called  the  Fur  Company,  was 
raised,  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  provisions,  for 
pressing  teams,  and  even  men,  sometimes,  into  the 
army  in  Caldwell.  I  now  saw  plainly  that  they  had 
become  desperate,  and  their  career  would  soon  end ; 
for  I  knew  that  their  doings  would  soon  bring  the 
people  on  them,  and  I  dreaded  the  consequences.  I 
would  have  been  glad  to  have  left  the  county  with 
my  family,  but  I  could  not  get  away  ;  the  decree  was 
passed,  and  there  was  no  other  chance  for  me  and  the 
other  dissenters  but  to  pretend  to  take  hold  with  the 
rest.  I  now  understood  that  they  meant  to  fall  upon 
and  scatter  the  mob  wherever  they  could  find  them 
collected. 

"  I  heard  nothing  from  the  leaders ;  but  in  the  camp 
it  was  said  that  they  meant  not  only  to  scatter  the 
mob,  but  also  to  destroy  those  places  that  harboured 
them  ;  that  Gallatin  and  Millport  were  of  that  num.- 


138     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

ber ;  that  the  time  had  arrived  for  the  riches  of  the 
Gentiles  to  be  consecrated  to  the  house  of  Israel,  but 
they  meant  to  confine  themselves  to  the  mob  charac- 
ters in  their  plunderings.  They  conjectured  that 
mob  after  mob,  as  they  termed  it,  would  arise  against 
them,  which  they  would  have  to  subdue,  one  after 
another,  even  till  they  should  reach  St.  Louis,  where 
Wight  said  he  meant  to  winter.  Many  had  the 
weakness  to  believe  that  God  would  enable  them 
to  do  it. 

"  When  they  found  no  citizens  gathered  together 
against  them,  they  ought  to  have  been  peaceable,  and 
merely  stood  on  the  defensive  ;  but  they  had  become 
too  desperate  in  feeling  for  that,  and  resolved  to  clear 
Davies  county  from  every  thing  in  the  shape  of  what 
they  called  mobs,  which  they  did  effectually  in  the 
course  of  that  and  the  next  week.  It  appeared  to 
me  also  that  the  love  of  pillage  grew  upon  them  very 
fast,  for  they  plundered  every  kind  of  property  they 
could  get  hold  of,  and  burnt  many  cabins  in  Davies, 
some  say  eighty,  and  some  say  one  hundred  and  fifty. 
They  also  went  with  a  company  to  Livingston,  and 
took  a  piece  of  ordnance,  which  had  been  brought 
there  by  the  company  that  came  from  Carroll  county. 

"  Far  West,  meanwhile,  was  well  guarded,  for  they 
heard  they  were  to  be  attacked  by  Captain  Gilliam, 
with  a  company  from  the  Platte.  But  he  did  not  at- 
tempt it.  They  also  heard  that  a  company  was  com- 
ing from  Buncum,  and  they  organized  a  company  of 
ten  men,  that  were  called  the  Destructionists,  whose 
commander  was  called  the  Destroying  Angel.  Their 
business  was  to  watch  the  movements  of  the  citizens, 
and  if  they  gathered  in  Buncum,  and  left  the  place 
for  Far  West,  these  Destructionists  were  to  slip  in 
behind  them,  and  burn  the  place.  So  they  were  to 
do,  it  was  said,  by  Richmond,  or  any  other  place  tha'~ 
should  turn  out  men  to  injure  them.  I  believe  the^ 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    139 

never  attempted  to  burn  either  place,  though  it  was 
reported  in  Richmond  that  the  time  was  set  for  them 
to  burn  that  place,  and  many  left  it  for  a  short  time  ; 
but  this,  I  think,  was  incorrect. 

"  Shortly  after  the  Mormon  troops  came  from  Da- 
vies,  they  received  news  that  a  company  was  gather- 
ed on  Crooked  river,  and  that  some  of  them  had  been 
to  some  houses  on  Log  creek,  in  Caldwell,  and  or- 
dered off  the  families,  with  severe  threats  if  they 
were  not  gone  by  sunrise  the  next  morning.  They 
took  away  their  arms,  and,  it  was  said,  also  burnt  a 
wagon  and  a  house,  and  took  three  men  prisoners. 
On  receiving  this  news,  a  company  was  fitted  out  to 
disperse  them.  Captain  Fear-not  (David  W.  Pat- 
ten) commanded  them.  They  went  in  the  night  to 
the  house  of  Fields,  on  Crooked  river,  but  not  finding 
the  company  there,  they  proceeded  to  another  place, 
and  had  not  proceeded  far  till  they  met  with  a  centi- 
nel,  who  hailed  them,  and,  after  a  word  or  two,  shot 
one  of  them  down,  and  then  ran  to  his  company  ;  but 
they  followed  him  up  in  a  hurry,  and,  after  a  fire  or 
two,  charged  on  the  company,  and  soon  dispersed 
them,  and  supposed  they  had  killed  several.  They 
then  gathered  up  a  part  of  the  plunder,  and  about 
thirty  horses,  and  returned,  leaving  one  of  their  men 
dead  on  the  ground,  though  they  did  not  miss  him  till 
they  had  got  home.  Three  or  four  others  were  badly 
wounded,  and  Patten  and  one  other  died  soon.  One 
of  the  opposite  party  was  killed,  and  others  wounded. 

"  This  battle  produced  great  excitement  among  the 
people,  and  the  Mormons  found,  in  a  day  or  two,  that 
it  was  militia  instead  of  a  mob  that  they  had  assailed. 
Captain  Bogart  had  collected  a  company,  and  got 
permission  to  guard  Buncum,  and  was  there  encamp- 
ed for  that  purpose  when  they  fell  on  him.  The  ex- 
citement increased  rapidly,  and  in  a  day  or  two  the 
whole  country,  seemingly,  was  in  arms." 


140     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

Shortly  after  this  a  bloody  scene  ensued  at 
a  place  called  Hawn's  Mill,  in  which  two  or 
three  companies  of  militia  are  represented  to 
have  attacked,  without  provocation,  a  house  in 
which  a  number  of  Mormons,  men,  women,  and 
children,  were  assembled  for  shelter,  of  whom 
twenty  or  thirty  were  killed.  On  the  27th  of 
October,  1838,  while  this  state  of  things  was 
pending,  the  governor  of  Missouri,  L.  W.  Boggs, 
received  information  which  induced  him  to  issue 
to  Gen.  Clark  orders,  of  which  the  following 
sentences  are  a  part : — "  The  Mormons  must 
be  treated  as  enemies,  and  must  be  exterminated, 
or  driven  from  the  state,  if  necessary,  for  the 
public  peace.  If  you  can  increase  your  forces, 
you  are  authorized  to  do  so  to  any  extent  you 
may  consider  necessary."  An  army  of  several 
thousand  men  was  soon  under  way  to  execute 
these  orders.  But  happily,  before  any  general 
attack  occurred,  proposals  of  peace  were  made 
by  the  officers  in  command,  and  accepted  by 
the  Mormons.  Their  fighting  men,  to  the  num- 
ber of  about  five  hundred,  were  to  surrender 
themselves  as  prisoners.  They  were  also  re- 
quired to  sign  a  deed  of  trust,  conveying  all 
their  property  to  five  commissioners,  who  were 
to  hold  it  in  trust  for  the  use  of  the  creditors  of 
the  church,  and  to  pay  the  damages  and  ex- 
penses of  the  war.  The  overplus,  in  case  any 
thing  remained,  was  to  be  refunded. 

The  prisoners  were  soon  discharged,  with 
the  exception  of  fifty-three,  who  were  detained 
for  examination,  before  a  criminal  court  of  in- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     141 

quiiy,  at  Richmond.  Seven  of  these,  the  prin- 
cipal leaders,  were  put  in  irons.  The  result 
of  this  examination  was,  that  thirty-six  indi- 
viduals were  retained  for  trial,  on  the  charges 
preferred.  Those  accused  of  treason  and  mur- 
der were  confined  in  jail ;  the  rest  were  ad- 
mitted to  bail.  The  accusation  for  murder  was 
based  on  what  was  termed,  Bogart's  battle. 
We  would  willingly  dismiss  here  this  painful 
subject,  with  the  remarks  we  have  to  make 
upon  it :  but  inasmuch  as  the  testimony  record- 
ed, at  the  above-mentioned  criminal  court  of 
inquiry,  having  been  submitted  to  the  senate  of 
the  United  States,  has  been  published  in  a  con- 
gressional document,  we  must,  in  justice  to  the 
reader,  give  an  abstract  of  the  same,  together 
with  an  authorized  (Mormon)  account  of  the 
manner  in  which  the  court  was  conducted. 
The  publication  alluded  to  is  entitled,  "  A  doc- 
ument, showing  the  testimony  given  before  the 
judge  of  the  fifth  judicial  circuit  of  the  state  of 
Missouri,  on  the  trial  of  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  and 
others,  for  high  treason,  and  other  crimes,  against 
that  state."  It  gives  the  names  of  fifty-three 
individuals,  charged  with  the  crimes  of  high 
treason  against  the  state — murder,  burglary, 
arson,  robbery,  and  larceny.  Among  these 
names  are  those  of  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  Hyrum 
Smith,  Sidney  Rigdon,  and  Parley  P.  Pratt. 

The  first  witness,  introduced  in  this  pamphlet, 
is  Dr.  Sampson  Arvard,  who  had  been  a  special 
teacher  among  the  Mormons.  He  testifies,  that 
a  band  was  formed,  among  that  people,  denorni- 


142     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

nated,  at  first,  the  Daughters  of  Zion  ;  but,  after 
that,  the  Danite  band ;  the  original  object  of 
which  was  to  expel,  from  Caldwell  county,  the 
dissenters  from  the  Mormon  church.  Joseph 
Smith,  Jr.,  blessed  the  band,  and  prophesied 
over  them,  declaring  that  they  should  be  the 
means,  in  the  hands  of  God,  of  bringing  forth 
the  millennial  kingdom.  Smith  said  it  was  ne- 
cessary that  this  band  should  be  bound  together 
by  a  covenant,  that  those  who  revealed  the  se- 
crets of  the  society  should  be  put  to  death.  The 
covenant  was  as  follows,  (holding  up  the  right 
hand  :) — "  In  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son 
of  God,  I  do  solemnly  obligate  myself  ever  to 
conceal,  and  never  to  reveal,  the  secret  purposes 
of  this  society,  called  the  Daughters  of  Zion. 
Should  I  ever  do  the  same,  I  hold  my  life  as 
the  forfeiture." 

Prophet  Smith  and  his  two  counsellors  (Hy- 
rum  Smith  and  Sidney  Rigdon)  were  consider- 
ed as  the  supreme  head  of  the  church  ;  and  the 
Danite  band  felt  themselves  as  much  bound  to 
obey  them,  as  to  obey  the  supreme  God.  Smith 
taught  them  that  they  should  stand  by  each 
other,  right  or  wrong.  He  declared,  publicly, 
that  all  who  did  not  take  up  arms  in  defence  of 
the  Mormons,  should  be  considered  as  tories, 
and  should  take  their  exit  from  the  country.  In 
addressing  the  Mormon  forces  on  the  subject 
of  taking  property  that  did  not  belong  to  them, 
he  said  the  children  of  God  did  not  go  to  war 
at  their  own  expense.  He  said  it  was  high 
time  that  they  should  be  up.  as  saints  of  the 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     143 

most  high  God,  and  protect  themselves,  and 
take  the  kingdom.  On  some  occasions,  he  said 
that  one  should  chase  a  thousand,  and  two  put 
ten  thousand  to  flight — that  he  considered  the 
United  States  rotten — that  the  Mormon  church 
was  the  little  stone  spoken  of  hy  the  prophet 
Daniel — and  that  the  dissenters  first,  and  the 
state  next,  were  part  of  the  image  that  should 
be  destroyed  by  that  stone.  About  the  time 
that  the  militia,  under  Gen.  Lucas,  came  out  to 
Far  West,  Smith  assembled  the  Mormon  troops, 
and  said,  that  for  every  one  they  lacked  in  num- 
ber of  those  who  came  out  among  them,  the 
Lord  would  send  angels,  who  would  fight  for 
them,  and  they  should  be  victorious. 

Dr.  Avard  received  orders  from  Smith,  Rig- 
don,  and  Co.,  to  destroy  the  paper  containing 
the  constitution  of  the  Danite  society,  as,  if  it 
should  be  discovered,  it  would  be  considered 
treasonable.  He  did  not,  however,  obey  the 
orders,  but,  after  he  was  made  prisoner,  he 
handed  it  to  Gen.  Clark.  The  Mormon  preach- 
ers and  apostles  were  directed  to  instruct  their 
followers  to  come  up  to  the  state,  called  Far 
West,  and  to  possess  the  kingdom  ;  and  that  the 
Lord  would  give  them  power  to  possess  it. 

A  paper  was  drafted  by  Sidney  Rigdon,  and 
signed  by  eighty-four  Mormons,  the  object  of 
which  was,  to  drive  away  the  dissenters.  It 
was  addressed  to  Oliver  Cowdery,  David  Whit- 
mer,  John  Whitmer,  William  W.  Phelps,  and 
Lyman  E.  Johnson.  Of  these,  Oliver  Cowdery 
and  David  Whitmer  were  two  of  the  three  wit 


144    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

nesses  that  testified  to  the  truth  of  the  Book  of 
Mormon.  This  paper  charges  these  dissenters, 
viz.,  Oliver  Cowdery,  David  Whitmer,  &c.,  with 
monstrous  vices  and  crimes.  It  states  that  Cow- 
deiy  was  arrested  for  stealing,  and  the  stolen 
property  was  found  in  the  house  of  William  W. 
Phelps,  Cowdery  having  stolen  and  conveyed 
it ;  that  they  had  endeavoured  to  destroy  the 
character  of  Smith  and  Rigdon,  by  every  arti- 
fice that  they  could  invent,  not  even  excepting 
the  basest  lying ;  that  they  had  disturbed  the 
Mormon  meetings  of  worship  by  a  mob  of  black- 
legs ;  that  Oliver  Cowdery  and  David  Whitmer 
united  with  a  gang  of  counterfeiters,  thieves, 
liars,  and  blacklegs  of  the  deepest  die,  to  de- 
ceive, cheat,  and  defraud  the  Mormons  out  of 
their  property,  by  every  art  and  stratagem  which 
wickedness  could  invent ;  using  the  influence 
of  the  vilest  persecutions  to  bring  vexations  and 
law-suits,  villanous  prosecutions,  and  even  steal- 
ing riot  excepted  ;  that  Cowdery  attempted  to 
sell  notes  on  which  he  had  received  pay ;  that 
he  and  David  Whitmer  swore  falsely,  stole, 
cheated,  lied,  sold  bogus  money,  (base  coin,) 
and  also  stones  and  sand  for  bogus  ;  that  letters 
in  the  post-office  had  been  opened,  read,  and 
destroyed ;  and  that  those  same  men  were  con- 
cerned with  a  gang  of  counterfeiters,  coiners, 
and  blacklegs. 

Nehemiah  Odell,  sen.,  was  in  the  battle  be- 
tween Captain  Bogart's  company  and  the  Mor- 
mons, Oct.  25th,  1838.  He  testifies,  that  the 
Mormon  commander,  on  that  occasion,  ex- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     145 

pressed  himself  about  to  this  amount : — "  In 
the  name  of  Lazarus,  God,  and  the  Lamb,  fire, 
Danites  !"  Somewhat  farcical,  as  well  as  tra 
gical. 

According  to  the  testimony  of  Capt.  Bogart, 
the  Mormons  attacked  him,  and  were  therefore 
the  assailants. 

Wyatt  Cravens,  one  of  Capt.  Bogart's  men, 
who  was  made  prisoner  by  the  Mormons,  testi- 
fies, that  after  they  pretended  to  set  him  at 
liberty,  he  was  waylaid  on  his  return  home- 
ward by  a  Mormon,  shot  at,  and  wounded,  but 
finally  succeeded  in  making  his  escape. 

James  C.  Owens  testifies,  that  Smith  said  he 
cared  nothing  about  the  Missouri  troops,  nor 

the  laws  ;  that  they  were  a  d d  set,  and  God 

should  d n  them,  so  help  him  Jesus  Christ ; 

that  he  meant  to  go  on  as  he  had  begun,  and 
take  his  own  course,  and  kill  and  destroy  ;  and 
he  told  the  men  to  fight  like  angels  ;  that  here- 
tofore he  had  told  them  to  fight  like  devils,  but 
now  he  told  them  to  fight  like  angels — that  ari- 
gels  could  whip  devils  ;  that  God  would  send 
two  angels  where  they  lacked  one  man.  He 
said  they  might  think  he  was  swearing ;  but 
that  God  Almighty  would  not  take  notice  of  him 

in  cursing  such  a  d d  set  as  those  were. 

He  said  they  pretended  to  come  out  as  militia, 
but  that  they  were  all  a  d— — -d  set  of  mobs. 
He  stated,  at  one  time,  that  as  they  had  com- 
menced consecrating  in  Davies  county,  he 
intended  to  have  the  surrounding  counties  con- 
secrated to  him  ;  that  the  time  had  come  when 
10 


146     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

the  riches  of  the  Gentiles  should  be  conse- 
crated to  the  saints. 

John  Cleminson,  clerk  of  the  Caldwell  cir- 
cuit court,  testifies,  that  the  Danites  were  taught 
to  support  the  presidency  in  all  their  designs, 
right  or  wrong,  and  to  obey  them  in  all  things  ; 
and  whoever  opposed  them  in  what  they  said 
or  desired  to  have  performed,  should  be  expell- 
ed from  the  county,  or  put  to  death.  They 
were  further  taught,  that  if  any  one  betrayed 
the  secret  designs  of  the  Danite  society,  he 
should  be  killed  and  laid  aside,  and  nothing- 
should  be  said  about  it.  When  process  was 
filed  against  Smith  and  others,  in  witness's  of- 
fice, for  trespass,  Smith  told  him  not  to  issue  a 
writ ;  that  he  did  not  intend  to  submit  to  it ; 
that  he  would  not  suffer  it  to  be  issued,  &c. ; 
insomuch  that  witness,  knowing  the  regulation 
of  the  Danite  band,  felt  himself  intimidated  and 
in  danger,  in  case  he  should  issue  it.  The 
object  of  the  Mormon  expedition  to  Davies  was 
to  drive  out  all  the  citizens  of  the  county,  and 
get  possession  of  their  property.  It  was  fre- 
quently observed,  among  the  Mormon  troops, 
that  the  time  had  come  when  the  riches  of  the 
Gentiles  should  be  consecrated  to  the  saints. 
It  was  a  generally  prevailing  understanding 
among  them,  "  that  they  would  oppose  either 
militia  or  mob,  should  they  come  out  against 
them  ;  for  they  considered  them  all  mob  at 
heart." 

Reed  Peck  testifies,  that  the  Danites  were 
taught  to  do  whatever  the  presidency  required 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     147 

of  them  ;  that  they  were  not  to  judge  for  them- 
selves whether  it  was  right  or  wrong  ;  that  God 
had  raised  up  a  prophet  who  would  judge  for 
them ;  that  it  was  proper  they  should  stand  by 
one  another  in  all  cases — for  example,  if  they 
found  one  of  the  Danites  in  difficulty,  they 
should  rescue  him,  if  they  had  to  do  with  his 
adversary  as  Moses  did  with  the  Egyptian, 
namely,  to  put  him  in  the  sand ;  that  it  made 
no  difference  whether  the  Danite  was  to  blame 
or  not ;  they  would  pack  to  Far  West,  and  there 
be  taken  care  of.  Avard,  their  teacher,  told 
them  they  were  to  consecrate  their  surplus  pro- 
perty ;  and,  if  they  lied  about  it,  Peter,  he  said, 
killed  Ananias,  and  that  would  be  an  example 
for  them.  Smith  said  he  did  not  approve  of 
stealing  in  a  general  way ;  but  that  our  Saviour 
and  his  disciples  stole  corn  in  passing  through 
the  cornfields,  because  they  could  not  obtain 
any  thing  to  eat  in  any  other  way ;  and  that 
the  Mormon  forces  had  had  to  go  out  to  Davies 
so  often,  that  the  people  there  ought  to  bear  the 
expense.  Those  who  had  scruples  on  the  point, 
Smith  and  Rigdon  called  "  O  don't  men." 
Those  who  were  unwilling  to  join  in  their  ma- 
rauding expeditions,  they  denounced  as  traitors ; 
and  the  proposition  was  unanimously  adopted, 
that  such  should  be  pitched  upon  their  horses, 
and  be  made  to  go,  and  be  placed  in  front  of 
the  army.  Small  companies  were  sent  out  on 
various  plundering  expeditions.  Witness  saw 
one  of  those  companies  on  its  return.  It  was 
called  a  fur  company.  Some  had  one  thing, 


148     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

some  another  ;  one  had  a  feather  bed ;  another 
some  spun  yarn,  and  so  on.  This  fur  they 
were  to  take  to  the  bishop's  store,  where  it  was 
to  be  deposited,  and  if  they  failed  to  do  this,  it 
would  be  considered  stealing.  As  the  militia 
under  Gen.  Doniphan  approached  Far  West, 
Smith  was  apprized  of  their  number  by  witness. 
They  amounted  to  about  thirteen  hundred  men. 
Smith,  to  prevent  panic  among  the  Mormons, 
said  there  were  about  two  hundred  and  fifty. 
Sometime  previous  to  the  difficulties  in  Davies, 
Smith  said,  publicly,  that  he  did  not  intend  to 
regard  the  laws  of  Missouri,  nor  care  any  thing 
about  them,  as  they  were  made  by  lawyers  and 
blacklegs.  In  reference  to  the  Mormon  dis- 
senters, Dr.  Avard,  the  Danite  teacher,  said  : — 
"  I  will  tell  you  how  I  will  do  them  ;  when  I 
meet  one  damning  the  presidency,  I  can  damn 
them  as  well  as  he  ;  and  if  he  wants  to  drink, 
I  can  get  a  bowl  of  brandy,  and  get  him  half 
drunk ;  and,  taking  him  by  the  arm,  lead  him 
to  the  woods  or  brush,  and  be  into  his  guts  in  a 
minute,  and  put  him  under  the  sod."  Rigdon, 
in  a  sermon,  said  he  would  assist  in  erecting  a 
gallows  on  the  square,  and  hang  all  the  dis- 
senters. Smith  was  present,  and  followed 
Rigdon.  He  spoke  of  the  fate  of  Judas,  and 
said  that  Peter  had  hung  him  ;  and  that  he  him- 
self approved  of  Mr.  Rigdon's  sermon,  and  con- 
sidered it  a  good  one. 

George  M.  Hinkle,  one  of  the  commanders 
of  the  Mormon  forces,  testifies,  that  there  was 
much  mysterious  conversation  in  camp,  about 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     149 

plundering  and  house-burning ;  insomuch  that 
he  spoke  to  Smith  upon  the  subject,  and  told  him 
that  this  course  of  plundering  and  house-burn- 
ing by  the  Mormon  troops  would  ruin  the  Mor- 
mons. Smith  roughly  told  him  to  keep  still, 
and  that  this  was  the  only  way  to  gain  their 
liberty  and  their  point.  Witness  saw  a  great 
deal  of  plunder  brought  into  the  camp.  Smith 
said  he  should  fight  militia  or  mob,  if  they  came 
against  him  ;  and  that  if  they  pushed  him  too 
tight,  he  would  march  through  Jefferson  city, 
(the  capital  of  the  state.)  Witness  heard  Smith 
say  that  he  believed  Mohammed  was  a  good 
man  ;  that  the  Koran  was  not  a  true  thing,  but 
that  the  world  belied  Mohammed,  as  they  had 
belied  him ;  and  that  Mohammed  was  a  true 
prophet.  The  teachings  of  the  church  were, 
that  the  time  had  come  when  the  Mormon  king- 
dom was  to  be  set  up  by  force,  if  necessary ; 
and  likewise,  when  the  riches  of  the  Gentiles 
were  to  be  consecrated  to  the  true  Israel ;  and 
this  plundering  of  property  by  the  Mormons  was 
a  fulfilment  of  that  prophecy.  Smith,  in  a 
speech  to  the  Mormon  troops,  said,  that  the 
forces  which  were  gathering  through  the  coun- 
try were  a  d d  mob  ;  and  as  to  keeping  the 

laws  of  Missouri  any  longer,  he  did  not  intend 
to  try  to  do  so  ;  that  the  whole  state  was  a  mob 
set ;  that  if  they  came  to  fight  him,  he  would 
play  h — 1  with  their  apple  carts  ;  and  so  on. 
Witness  mentioned  the  great  difficulties  that 
the  course  they  were  pursuing  would  be  likely 
to  get  them  into  ;  to  which  some  of  them  re- 


150     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

plied,  that,  as  the  citizens  had  all  fled,  there 
would  be  none  to  prove  it  but  themselves,  and 
they  could  swear  as  they  pleased  in  the  matter 
— could  swear  one  another  clear,  should  it  be 
necessary.  At  the  time  Smith  and  witness 
were  under  guard  at  Far  West,  Smith,  under- 
standing that  witness  would  turn  state's  evi- 
dence, tried  to  induce  him  to  desist,  and  not 
give  his  testimony. 

Thomas  M.  Odle  testifies,  that  he  heard  some 
Mormon  troops  say  that  they  intended  to  make 
it  a  war  of  extermination. 

Burr  Riggs  testifies,  that  Smith  said,  on  se- 
veral occasions,  that  the  sword  was  now  un- 
sheathed, and  it  should  not  be  again  sheathed, 
until  he  could  go  through  the  United  States,  and 
live  peaceably  in  any  county  he  pleased.  Rig- 
don  said,  that  the  last  man  had  run  away  from 
Far  West  that  was  going  to  ;  that  the  next  man 
who  started  should  be  pursued,  and  brought 
back,  dead  or  alive  ;  that  one  man  had  slipped 
his  wind  yesterday,  and  had  been  thrown  aside 
into  the  brush  for  the  buzzards  to  pick,  and  the 
first  man  who  lisped  it  should  die. 

Jesse  Kelly  testifies,  that  Alexander  M'Kay, 
the  captain  of  a  Mormon  company,  stated  that 
they  intended,  after  they  got  possession  of  Da- 
vies,  to  take  Livingston,  and  after  that  to  keep 
on  till  they  took  possession  of  the  whole  state. 
Addison  Price  testifies  to  the  same  effect. 

John  Whitmar  testifies,  that  Smith  said,  that 
if  an  officer  attempted  to  serve  a  process  on 
him  he  should  die  ;  that  any  person  who  spoke 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     151 

or  acted  against  the  presidency,  or  the  church, 
should  leave  the  country  or  die.  Rigdon  ex- 
pressed himself  to  the  same  effect. 

William  W.  Phelps,  one  of  the  principal  men 
among  the  Mormons,  testifies,  that  Rigdon,  in 
a  public  meeting,  said,  that  they  meant  to  resist 
the  law,  and  if  a  sheriff  came  after  them  with 
writs,  they  would  kill  him  ;  and  if  any  body  op- 
posed them,  they  would  take  off  their  heads. 
Smith  approved  of  these  remarks.  On  another 
occasion  Rigdon  administered  several  covenants 
to  forty  or  fifty  Mormons,  the  covenanters  tak- 
ing their  obligations  with  uplifted  hands.  The 
first  was,  that  if  any  man  attempted  to  move  out 
of  the  county,  or  pack  his  things  for  that  pur- 
pose, any  one  of  the  covenanters  seeing  it  should 
kill  him,  and  haul  him  aside  into  the  brush  ; 
and  all  the  burial  he  should  have,  should  be  in 
a  turkey-buzzard's  guts,  so  that  nothing  should 
be  left  of  him  but  his  bones.  The  next  cove- 
nant Avas,  that  if  any  person  from  the  surround- 
ing country  came  into  their  town,  walking  about 
— no  odds  who  he  might  be — any  one  of  those 
covenanters  should  kill  him,  and  throw  him 
aside  into  the  brush.  The  third  covenant  was, 

4  Conceal  all  these  things." 
The  court  gave  the  defendants  an  opportuni- 

y  to  be  examined  without  oath,  which  they  de- 
clined. Several  witnesses  were  then  produced 
by  the  defendants.  Three  of  these  witnesses 
were  inmates  of  Lyman  Wight's  house,  (one 
of  the  defendants.)  Another  was  Nancy  Rig- 
don, daughter  of  Sidney  Rigdon,  (another  of 


152    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

the  defendants.)  Another  was  a  servant  in  the 
family  of  Smith  himself ;  and  there  were  but 
two  other  witnesses,  making  seven  in  all,  on 
the  part  of  the  defendants.  But  their  testimony 
amounted  to  nothing  toward  refuting  the  proof 
against  them,  as  it  did  not  touch  the  main 
charges  and  points  at  all. 

In  respect  to  the  testimony  above  condensed, 
and  the  tribunal  before  which  it  was  given  in, 
we  find  the  following  statements  in  a  pamphlet 
entitled,  "  An  Appeal  to  the  American  People, 
published  by  authority  of  the  Church  of  Latter- 
day  Saints."  It  was  written  by  Mr.  Rigdon. 

"  General  Clark  spent  several  days  in  search- 
ing the  statutes  of  Missouri,  to  find  some  au- 
thority to  hold  a  court-martial.  But  finding 
none,  he  informed  us  that  he  would  turn  us 
over  to  the  civil  authorities  for  trial.  Accord- 
ingly the  trial  commenced/  Austin  A.  King  on 
the  bench,  and  Thomas  C.  Burchr  attorney 
This  was  surely  a  new  kind  of  court — it  wa? 
not  an  inquisition,  nor  yet  a  criminal  court,  but 
a  compound  between  both.  A  looker  on  would 
be  convinced  that  both  the  judge  and  attorney 
were  not  satisfied  that  some  or  all  of  the  prison 
ers  had  been  guilty  of  criminal  acts,  but,  on  the 
contrary,  that  their  object  was  to  try,  by  all 
means  in  their  power,  to  get  some  person  to 
swear  some  criminal  thing  against  us,  though 
they  knew  we  were  innocent. 

"  The  first  act  of  the  court  was,  to  send  out 
a  body  of  armed  men  to  obtain  witnesses,  with- 
out any  civil  process  whatever ;  and  after  wit- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    153 

nesses  were  brought  before  the  court,  they  were 
sworn  at  bayonet  point.  Dr.  Sampson  Avard 
was  the  first  brought  before  the  court.  He  had 
previously  told  Mr.  Oliver  Olney  that  if  he 
(Olney)  wished  to  save  himself,  he  must  swear 
hard  against  the  heads  of  the  church,  as  they 
were  the  ones  the  court  wanted  to  criminate  ; 
and  if  he  could  swear  hard  against  them,  they 
would  (that  is,  neither  court  nor  mob)  not  dis- 
turb him.  I  intend  to  do  it,  said  he,  in  order 
to  escape,  for  if  I  do  not,  they  will  take  my 
life.  To  aid  him  in  this  work,  there  was  stand- 
ing a  body  of  armed  men  ;  a  part  of  this  armed 
body  stood  in  the  presence  of  the  court  to  see 
that  the  witnesses  swore  right,  and  another  part 
was  scouring  the  country  to  drive  out  of  it 
every  witness  that  they  could  hear  of  whose 
testimony  would  be  favourable  to  the  defend- 
ants. This  course  was  kept  up  during  the 
whole  time  of  the  court.  If  a  witness  did  not 
swear  to  please  the  court,  he  or  she  would  be 
threatened  to  be  cast  into  prison.  They  never 
pleased  the  court  when  their  testimony  was 
favourable  to  the  defendants.  One  instance  is 
all  the  proof  that  need  be  adduced  on  this  head. 
A  man  by  the  name  of  Allen  was  called  on  ; 
he  began  to  tell  the  story  about  Bogart's  burn- 
ing houses  in  the  south  part  of  Caldwell ;  he 
was  kicked  out  of  the  house,  and  three  men 
took  after  him  with  loaded  guns,  and  he  hardly 
escaped  with  his  life.  Every  witness  that  the 
defendants  had  (that  these  creatures  knew  of, 
and  they  made  diligent  search  to  find  all  they 


354     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

could)  was  either  arrested  under  pretence  of 
some  charge,  or  else  driven  off.  When  wit- 
nesses did  not  swear  to  please  the  attorney, 
(Burch,)  he  would  order  them  to  be  taken  into 
custody,  arid  they  were  immediately  cast  into 
prison,  and  the  next  morning  they  would  be 
brought  forward  and  tried  again.  Such  was 
the  course  the  court  and  their  armed  body  pur- 
sued during  their  sittings  till  they  got  through ; 
by  such  means  they  got  men  to  swear  for  them, 
and  to  swear  to  most  unhallowed  falsehoods. 
It  was  indeed  suborning  witnesses  to  swear  to 
promise  a  man's  life  if  he  would  swear,  and 
death  or  imprisonment  if  he  did  not  swear,  and 
not  only  to  swear,  but  swear  to  please  them. 

"  This  matter  of  driving  away  witnesses,  or 
casting  them  into  prison,  or  chasing  them  out 
of  the  county,  was  carried  to  such  a  length  that 
our  lawyers,  Gen.  Doniphan  and  Amos  Rees, 
told  us  not  to  bring  our  witnesses  there  at  all, 
for  if  we  did,  there  would  not  be  one  of  them 
left  for  the  final  trial,  for  no  sooner  would  Bo- 
gart  and  his  men  know  who  they  were,  than 
they  would  put  them  out  of  the  county.  As  to 
make  any  impression  on  King,  if  a  cohort  of 
angels  were  to  come  down  and  declare  we  were 
clear,  Doniphan  said  it  would  all  be  the  same, 
for  he  (King)  had  determined,  from  the  begin- 
ning, to  cast  us  into  prison :  we  never  got  the 
privilege  of  introducing  our  witnesses  at  all ; 
if  we  had,  we  could  have  disproved  all  they 
swore." 

If  the  reader  is  unable  to  determine,  satisfac- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     155 

torily,  what  position  the  truth  holds  between  the 
extremes  of  the  conflicting  accounts  above  given, 
he  will  probably  come  to  the  conclusion  that 
there  was  much  of  wrong  on  both  sides. 

Never  before  was  our  country  witness  to  such 
scenes  ;  may  she  never  behold  their  repetition. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Escape  to  Illinois — Sufferings — Persecution  defeats 
itself — Injustice — Sympathies  of  the  community — Isaac 
Galland — Magnificent  enterprise — Place  of  gathering — 
Missions  to  England — J.  C.  Bennett — Revenge — New 
revelation,  corresponding  to  Galland's  advice — Charters 
for  a  city — University  and  legion. 

AFTER  the  occurrences  related  in  the  fore- 
going chapter,  the  Mormon  people,  numbering 
several  thousand,  made  their  way,  as  speedily 
as  possible,  out  of  a  state  in  which  they  were 
convinced  they  could  no  longer  enjoy  the  pri- 
vileges of  citizens.  They  had  to  pass  through 
a  community  excited,  and  highly  exasperated 
against  them.  They  had  been  stripped  of 
their  property,  and  deprived  of  most  of  the 
conveniences  of  travelling.  The  season  was 
the  most  inclement  of  the  year.  All  these  cir- 
cumstances, and  many  others,  combined  to 
render  the  sufferings  attending  their  removal 
intense  in  the  extreme.  Several  women  and 
children  perished  in  their  dreary  flight,  too 
feeble  to  sustain  such  cruel  exposure. 


156     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

To  enter  into  a  minute  detail  of  the  events 
connected  with  the  Mormon  difficulties  in  Mis- 
souri, and  their  final  expulsion  from  that  state, 
would  transcend  our  present  limits.  Our  task 
will  be  accomplished  when  we  shall  have  faith- 
fully exposed  the  artifices  made  use  of  in  these 
modern  attempts  to  found  a  false  religion.  But 
we  cannot  excuse  ourselves  from  rebuking,  with 
equal  fidelity,  an  infatuation  less  pitiable  than 
Mormonism,  which  led  its  opponents  to  light  up 
the  fires  of  persecution,  and  to  offer  sacrifices 
in  the  temple  of  discord. 

We  have  no  respect  whatever  for  the  pre- 
tended fears  of  the  Missourians,  lest  the  Mor- 
mons "  should  rise  up  and  destroy  them."  Even 
though  the  latter  had  wished  and  intended  to 
obtain  what  they  were  taught  to  believe  was 
their  "  eternal  inheritance,"  by  the  shedding  of 
blood,  yet  the  idea  that  they  could  accomplish 
such  a  design  was  preposterous,  and  deserved 
no  place  in  the  mind  of  a  sober  man.  This 
pretended  alarm,  however,  was  a  capital  pre- 
text for  the  many  who  wished  to  turn  the  tables 
upon  the  poor  Mormons,  and  to  get  to  them- 
selves, by  dint  of  club  law,  or  of  mob  law,  the 
possession  of  lands  paid  for  and  cultivated  by 
others.  Most  successfully  was  it  thus  used  ; 
and  just  so  far  as  Missouri  has  refused  to  in- 
demnify such  robberies,  and  to  punish  their 
authors,  she  has  favoured  injustice,  and  legal- 
ized oppression.  Suppose  treason  and  murder 
could  have  been  proved  against  a  score  of  indi- 
viduals, that  was  no  reason  why  a  community 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     157 

should  be  injured,  or  why  the  innocent  should 
be  punished  with  the  guilty.  If  violence  be 
suffered  to  usurp  the  place  of  law  in  any  coun- 
try, with  what  propriety  can  that  be  called  the 
asylum  of  either  civil  or  religious  liberty  ? 

Moreover,  illegal  opposition,  in  the  nature  of 
things,  tends  to  promote  the  very  interest  against 
which  it  is  directed.  Before  the  Missouri  war, 
the  adherents  of  Smith  were  wasting  their  ener- 
gies in  internal  contention,  which  resulting,  as  it 
did,  in  multiplying  dissenters,  would  soon  have 
destroyed  the  sect.  Mr.  Corrill  remarks  :  "  My 
opinion  is,  that  if  the  Mormons  had  been  let 
alone  by  the  citizens,  they  would  have  divided 
and  sub-divided,  so  as  to  have  completely  de- 
stroyed themselves  and  their  power,  as  a  peo- 
ple, in  a  short  time."  Composed,  as  their 
community  was,  of  the  heterogeneous  materials 
drawn  together,  on  the  one  hand,  by  views  of 
interest,  and  on  the  other  by  fanaticism  per- 
sonified, their  greatest  desideratum  was  some 
rallying  point  around  which  all  could  gather, — 
some  excitement  so  great  as  to  merge  their  dis- 
appointments, their  returning  sobriety,  and  their 
past  mistakes,  in  a  common  oblivion  ;  and,  at 
the  same  time,  furnish  them  a  new  bond  of 
union  in  which  all  could  be  true  yoke- fellows. 
Unhappily  for  them,  and  for  mankind,  this  was 
furnished  in  their  expulsion  from  Missouri. 

To  the  credit  of  the  state  and  its  citizens, 
the  Mormons  were  kindly  received  in  Illinois. 
Public  meetings  were  held  on  their  arrival  at 
Quincy,  to  express  sympathy  for  their  suffer- 


158    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

ings  and  to  provide  means  for  alleviating  their 
distress. 

Public  attention  was  now  called  to  them  as 
an  injured  people,  and  from  this  period  dates 
the  era  of  their  greatest  prosperity.  The  recital 
of  their  persecutions  was  found  to  excite  sym- 
pathy from  every  quarter,  and  zealously  was  it 
employed  as  a  means  of  securing  influence  and 
respect.  A  correspondence  was  kept  up  with 
Smith  and  the  other  head  men  who  were  re- 
tained in  jail,  until  in  the  course  of  a  few 
months  they  were  able  personally  to  co-operate 
with  their  followers.  The  following  account 
of  their  treatment  while  thus  retained,  and  the 
manner  of  their  escape,  is  in  the  language  of 
Mr.  Rigdon : — 

"After  we  were  cast  into  prison  we  heard  no- 
thing but  threatenings,  that  if  any  judge  or  jury, 
or  court  of  any  kind,  should  clear  any  of  us, 
that  we  should  never  get  out  of  the  state  alive. 
This  soon  determined  our  course,  and  that  was 
to  escape  out  of  their  hands  as  soon  as  we 
could,  and  by  any  means  we  could.  After  we 
had  been  some  length  of  time  in  prison,  we  de- 
manded a  habeas  corpus  of  Judge  Turnham,  one 
of  the  county  judges,  which,  with  some  consi- 
derable reluctance,  was  granted.  Great  threat- 
enings were  made  at  this  time  by  the  mob,  that 
if  any  of  us  were  liberated  we  should  never  get 
out  of  the  county  alive.  After  the  investigation, 
one  of  our  number  was  released  from  prison  by 
the  decision  of  the  judge  ;  the  remainder  were 
committed  to  jail.  He  also  returned  with  them 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     159 

until  a  favourable  opportunity  offered,  which, 
through  the  friendship  of  the  sheriff,  Mr.  Sa- 
muel Hadley,  and  the  jailer,  Mr.  Samuel  Til- 
lery,  he  was  let  out  of  the  jail  secretly  in  the 
night ;  and  being  solemnly  warned  by  them  to 
be  out  of  the  state  with  as  little  delay  as  possi- 
ble, he  made  his  escape.  Being  pursued  by 
a  body  of  armed  men,  it  was  through  the  direc- 
tion of  a  kind  Providence  that  he  escaped  out 
of  their  hands  and  safely  arrived  in  Quincy, 
Illinois.  This  was  in  February,  A.  D.  1839. 

"  In  the  May  following,  the  remainder  that 
were  in  the  Liberty  jail  were  taken  to  Davies 
county  to  be  tried  by  a  grand  jury  of  the  prin- 
cipal mobbers,  in  order  to  see  if  a  bill  of  indict- 
ment could  be  found  as  could  be  expected  from 
the  characters  of  the  jury.  Bills  were  found, 
and  they  obtained  a  change  of  venue  to  Boon 
county ;  accordingly,  the  sheriff  of  Davies 
county,  with  guards,  started  to  take  them  from 
Davies  to  Boon  county.  On  their  way,  after 
journeying  a  day  or  two,  one  evening  the  guard 
got  drunk,  they  left  them,  and  also  made  their 
escape  to  Quincy,  Illinois." 

At  the  time  of  their  greatest  extremity  the 
Mormons  found  a  friend  in  Isaac  Galland,  a 
gentleman  holding  extensive  landed  interests 
in  Illinois,  and  also  a  disputed  title  to  an  im- 
mense tract  in  Iowa,  called  the  half-breed 
lands.  To  him  the  acquisition  of  one  or  two 
thousand  industrious  settlers  upon  his  lands 
must  at  any  time  have  been  no  small  object. 
It  was  especially  so  in  view  of  the  complicated 


L60     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

litigation  in  which  the  half-breed  tract  was  in- 
volved ;  that  being  likely  to  terminate  in  favour 
of  the  actual  possessor. 

Some  have  supposed  these  facts  sufficient  to 
account  for  his  course,  without  crediting  so 
much  to  his  magnanimity  as  others  have  done. 
At  any  rate,  his  proposals  for  disposing  of  the 
half-breed  lands  to  the  Mormons  were  accepted 
by  and  with  the  advice  of  Joseph  Smith,  before 
the  latter  escaped  from  confinement.  Subse- 
quently, Galland  sold  to  the  Mormons  the  site 
of  the  present  town  of  Nauvoo,  where  he  re- 
sided, together  with  large  portions  of  adjoining 
territory.  He  granted  them  a  long  credit,  and 
afterward  accepted  in  payment  their  titles  tc 
land  in  Missouri.  These  arrangements  were 
no  doubt  highly  advantageous  to  both  parties. 
It  becomes  interesting,  however,  to  observe  the 
objects  and  the  spirit  with  which  they  were 
entered  into  by  Dr.  Galland. 

He  had  previously  been  noted  as  any  thing 
rather  than  a  religious  man.  Whether  this  new 
enterprise  presented  to  him  more  attractions  as 
a  pecuniary  speculation,  a  means  of  acquiring 
political  influence,  or  as  a  grand  infidel  agency 
for  the  purpose  of  "  revolutionizing  the  dogmas 
of  powerful  religious  denominations,"  we  will 
not  attempt  to  decide.  That  each  of  these 
considerations  had  weight  with  him  appears 
from  the  following  letter,  published  in  the 
Times  and  Seasons,  by  the  person  to  whom  it 
was  addressed.  J.  Galland  is  indicated  to  be 
its  author,  not  only  by  the  number  of  stars 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     161 

which  represent  his  usual  signature  ;  but  also 
by  expressions  in  it  which  no  one  else  could 
have  used.  The  reader  is  requested  to  observe 
carefully  the  suggestions  contained  therein,  so 
that  he  may  apprehend  the  true  origin  of  some 
of  Smith's  subsequent  revelations. 

"  DEAR  SIR, — It  was  my  intention  to  have 
addressed  you  before  this,  but  a  multiplicity  of 
engagements  have  hitherto  prevented,  and  I  am 
only  enabled  now  to  spare  a  few  moments  for 
that  purpose. 

"  You  are  of  course  aware  that  an  attempt 
to  promulgate  new  doctrinal  tenets  in  religion, 
is  an  enterprise  of  momentous  magnitude,  and 
it  is  an  undertaking,  which,  in  order  to  succeed, 
will  require  great  reflection,  a  perfect  know- 
ledge of  the  human  character,  and  determined 
perseverance.  Tact,  energy,  and  talents,  are 
indispensable,  and  will  accomplish  much ;  yet 
they  alone  cannot  prevail,  without  encouraging 
virtue,  and  discountenancing  vice ; — general 
industry  and  moral  conduct  must  exist  in  every 
community,  or  that  community  will  totter  and 
be  dispersed.  A  systematic  arrangement  is 
also  necessary  in  forming  a  plan  for  a  new  co- 
lony— taste  in  laying  out  the  streets  and 
squares,  and  skill  in  the  architecture  of  the 
buildings  are  important. 

"  Now,  as  regards  your  tenets,  so  far  as  I 
have  had  an  opportunity  of  examining  them, 
there  appears  nothing  objectionable,  but  much 
to  approve ;  at  any  rate,  some  explanations 
made  by  you  when  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
11 


162     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

you,  aroused  my  faculties  to  an  extent  not  often 
experienced  by  me,  and  I  am  constrained  to 
say,  that  your  views  appeared  novel,  very 
curious,  and  extremely  plausible  :  I  am  not 
able  to  discover,  why  they  are  not  based  upon 
a  foundation  of  truth :  and  if  it  be  truth  itself, 
what  a  tremendous  moral  power  can  be  exerted 
by  the  denomination  of  Latter-day  Saints,  par- 
ticularly, if  a  large  number  possessing  fine  ta- 
lents of  good  cultivation  co-operate  with  each 
other,  all  acting  in  unison,  applying  and  con- 
centrating religion,  intellect,  and  science,  to  the 
attainment  of  one  grand  object — should  this  take 
place,  as  I  think  it  assuredly  will,  how  noble 
will  be  the  results — what  an  increase  of  num- 
bers— what  an  accession  of  political  influence — 
what  accumulations  of  wealth ;  and  above  all, 
what  a  broad  and  glorious  foundation  will  be 
laid  for  building  the  triumphant  church  of  the 
Latter-day  Saints.  There  is  no  estimating  the 
deep,  spreading,  immense  power,  of  such  an 
engine  as  religion  :  it  goes  on  rising,  enlarging, 
and  subduing,  conquering  and  to  conquer. 
Ambition  itself  can  hardly  grasp  in  imagination 
the  almost  omnipotent  force  of  such  an  agent  as 
religion.  The  PROJECT  of  establishing  a  new 
religion,  or  rather  extraordinary  religious  doc- 
trines, being  magnificent  in  its  character,  will 
of  course  require  means  adapted  to  the  end,  and 
preparations  commensurate  with  the  splendour 
of  the  plan.  In  the  first  place,  you  want  a  suit- 
able rallying  ground;  perhaps  Nauvoo  is  as 
good  as  any, — it  being  a  capital  steam-boat 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     163 

landing,  it  is  in  that  respect  preferable  to  any 
that  I  know.  You  then  want  a  TEMPLE  that  for 
size,  proportions,  and  style,  shall  attract,  sur- 
prise, and  dazzle  all  beholders — it  should  be 
entirely  unique,  externally  ;  and  in  the  interior, 
peculiar,  imposing,  and  grand.  Then  you  want 
clergymen  of  the  highest  mental  superiority — • 
men  of  education — men  of  profound  research, 
subtle,  ready  logical  reasoners,  with  easy  man- 
ners, and  powerful  voices — then  you  should 
have  such  a  choir  of  singers  as  was  never  be- 
fore organized.  Thus  arranged,  you  would  see 
immediately,  nearly  every  person,  within  a  cir- 
cle of  fifty  miles,  attending  your  church,  and 
doubtless  many  of  them  become  converts. 
School-houses  should  be  built  directly,  and 
school  the  children  young,  for  '  as  the  twig  is 
bent  the  tree's  inclined.'  Other  sects  are  ac- 
quiring great  strength  by  acting  upon  the  young, 
through  the  medium  of  Sunday  schools,  and 
other  juvenile  institutions.  Your  missionary 
arrangements  are  good,  and  should  be  pushed 
vigorously.  Let  those  of  intelligence,  prudence, 
and  pure  piety,  be  employed  in  this  service. 
If  funds  for  a  COLLEGE  could  be  collected,  no- 
thing could  be  more  valuable  to  you,  as  through 
it  you  would  soon  have,  and  send  forth  to  the 
world,  clergymen  skilled  in  science,  and  cal- 
culated to  strike  conviction  into  the  high  and 
wealthy  classes  of  society. 

"  You  will  say  that  I  have  been  sketching 
schemes  for  mere  worldly  advantage,  without 
contemplating  the  much  more  sublime  specta- 


164     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

cle,  of  a  multitude  of  redeemed  souls,  prepared 
through  your  doctrines  for  an  entrance  into 
paradise.  I  have  already  said,  that  as  yet  no 
sufficient  time  has  presented  itself,  for  me  to 
analyze  very  fully  your  tenets,  but  this  I  can 
say  in  great  sincerity,  that  should  these  doc- 
trines promote  the  happiness  of  mankind  here, 
and  secure  their  salvation  hereafter,  no  person 
could  feel  the  enjoyment  more  intensely ;  and 
I  probably  feel  some  degree  of  pride  and  vanity, 
as  I  shall  claim  to  have  selected  the  spot  where 
a  concentration  of  moral  power  will  exist,  which 
shall  revolutionize  the  dogmas  of  very  powerful 
religious  denominations,  and  teach  them  to 
know,  that  many  discoveries  are  yet  to  be  made 
in  theological  science.  Your  obedient  servant, 

With  such  brilliant  conceptions  of  worldly 
advancement  before  his  mind,  it  is  not  wonder- 
ful that  this  individual  was  disposed  to  second 
the  "  magnificent  project  of  founding  a  new 
religion."  Nor  is  it  more  wonderful  that  in  a 
short  time  he  should  become  so  much  inter- 
ested in  Mormonism  as  to  profess  conversion 
to  its  dogmas,  and  to  take  upon  himself  the 
office  of  an  elder  in  the  church  of  Latter-day 
Saints.  A  circular  of  the  first  presidency  says 
respecting  him,  "  Being  a  man  of  extensive 
information,  great  talents,  and  high  literary 
fame,  he  devoted  all  his  powers  and  influence 
to  give  us  a  character."  It  was  certainly  then 
no  more  than  reasonable  that  due  respect  should 
be  shown  to  his  advice.  By  his  means  a  new 


MCRMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     165 

"  promised  land"  was  provided  for  those  who 
having  been  successively  dispossessed  of  two 
"  eternal  inheritances"  might  well  have  despair- 
ed of  finding  a  third.  Respecting  the  eligi- 
bility of  the  new  place  of  gathering  no  doubt 
can  be  entertained.  It  is  at  the  head  of  the 
Des  Moines  or  Lower  Rapids  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, extending  on  both  sides  of  that  great 
river,  and  embracing  large  portions  of  Hancock 
county,  Illinois,  and  of  Lee  county,  Iowa.  The 
region  possesses  vast  agricultural  resources  and 
commercial  advantages  of  equal  importance. 
The  existing  number  of  Mormons  was  quite  in- 
sufficient to  fully  occupy  such  extensive  openings, 
Their  missionary  enterprises  were  resumed  with 
a  zeal  unknown  before.  A  delegation  had  been 
to  England  as  early  as  1 837.  Their  success  hav- 
ing been  such  as  to  encourage  further  attempts, 
the  twelve  being  duly  commissioned,  proceeded  by 
different  routes,  preaching  on  their  way  till  they 
arrived  at  New-York,  and  thence  sailed  for  Li- 
verpool. 

About  this  time  Mormonism  received  another 
important  accession  in  the  person  of  John  C. 
Bennett,  M.  D.,  a  man  who  either  through  po- 
litical management  or  political  influence  held 
the  office  of  quarter-master-general  to  the  state 
of  Illinois,  under  Governor  Carlin. 

Becoming  an  elder  among  the  Latter-day 
Saints,  he  devoted  all  his  energies  to  the  pro- 
motion of  their  cause.  He  toiled  faithfully  in 
the  field,  which  is  above  represented  as  almost 
too  boundless  for  even  ambition  herself,  and 


166     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

already  he  has  been  rewarded  with  triple 
honours.  This  man's  valour  and  spirit  may  be 
appreciated  by  reading  the  following  extracts 
of  correspondence,  evidently  from  his  pen  ;  — 

"  The  grievances  of  this  people  must  be  re- 
dressed, and  my  hands  shall  help  to  do  it — • 
should  they  have  to  reach  to  the  highest  courts 
of  heaven,  dig^to  the  lowest  bowels  of  hell,  or 
encompass  the  broad  expanse  of  the  universe 
of  God,  to  consummate  so  desirable  a  result. 
J  O  A  B,  General  in  Israel." 

"  Missouri  has  been  to  the  saints  like  the  bo- 
han  upas  to  the  weary  pilgrim,  and  though  my 
hands  be  bound,  rny  feet  fettered,  and  my 
tongue  palsied,  yet  will  I  defend  this  people  by 
the  power  of  the  great  God,  until  they  shall  shine 
in  righteousness  among  the  nations  of  the  earth 
like  a  glittering  gem  sparkling  on  a  maiden's 
brow,  and  be  envied  only  for  their  good  works. 

"  I  speak  advisedly,  I  speak  KNOWINGLY,  I 
speak  by  AUTHORITY  when  I  say  that  JOSEPH 
SMITH  and  the  heads  of  the  church,  and  the 
church  bodily,  entertain  the  most  kind  and 
friendly  feelings  toward  Gov.  Carlin  and  the 
state  government,"  &e. 

"  JOAB,  General  in  Israel." 

Many  of  the  above  expressions  indicate  of 
whom  he  had  learned  to  be  meek  and  lowly, 
especially  in  comparison  with  the  following 
fragment  of  a  letter  from  the  pen  of  Joseph 
Smith,  Jr.,  written  to  the  church  of  Latter- 
day  Saints,  from  Liberty  jail,  Mo.  : — 


MORMONISM  A.ND  THE  MORMONS.    167 

"  This  poor  man,  (W.  W.  Phelps,)  who  pro- 
fesses to  be  much  of  a  prophet,  has  no  other 
dumb  ass  to  ride  but  David  Whitmer  or  to  for- 
bid his  madness  when  he  goes  up  to  curse  Is- 
rael ;  but  this  not  being  of  the  same  kind  of 
Balaam's  therefore  notwithstanding  the  angel 
appeared  unto  him  yet  he  could  not  sufficiently 
penetrate  his  understanding  but  that  he  brays 
out  cursings  instead  of  blessings.  Poor  ass, 
whoever  lives  will  see  him  and  his  rider  perish 
like  those  who  perished  in  the  gainsaying  of 
Core,  or  after  the  same  condemnation  unless 
they  repent."  Such  are  the  terms  in  which  a 
man,  himself  complaining  of  persecution,  could 
find  it  in  his  heart  to  denounce  two  of  his  early 
friends.  Phelps  had  for  years  been  one  of  his 
most  devoted  followers.  David  Whitmer  was 
one  of  the  three  witnesses  to  the  coming  forth 
of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  and  his  name  is  still 
used  to  give  credit  to  that  villanous  imposture. 

The  especial  attention  of  the  reader  is  invited 
to  the  language  and  instructions  contained  in 
the  following  document,  which  may  be  consi- 
dered the  Magna  Charta  of  Mormonism,  as  now 
existing  at  Nauvoo. 

Extracts  from   a  Revelation   given    to   Joseph 

Smith,  Jr.,  Jan.  19th,  1841. 
'*  Verily  thus  saith  the  Lord,  unto  you  my 
servant  Joseph  Smith,  I  am  well  pleased  with 
your  offerings  and  acknowledgments  which 
you  have  made  ;  for  unto  this  end  have  I  raised 
vou  up,  that  I  might  show  forth  my  wisdom 


168     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

through  the  weak  things  of  the  earth.  Your 
prayers  are  acceptable  before  me,  and  in  an- 
swer to  them,  I  say  unto  you,  that  you  are  now 
called,  immediately  to  make  a  solemn  procla- 
mation of  my  gospel,  and  of  this  stake  which 
I  have  planted  to  be  a  corner-stone  of  Zion, 
which  shall  be  polished  with  that  refinement 
which  is  after  the  similitude  of  a  palace.  This 
proclamation  shall  be  made  to  all  the  kings  of 
the  world,  to  the  four  corners  thereof — to  the 
honourable  president  elect,  and  the  high-minded 
governors  of  the  nation  in  which  you  live,  and 
to  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  scattered  abroad. 
Let  it  be  written  in  the  spirit  of  meekness,  and 
by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  which  shall 
be  in  you  at  the  time  of  the  writing  of  the  same ; 
for  it  shall  be  given  you  by  the  Holy  Ghost  to 
know  my  will  concerning  those  kings  and  au- 
thorities, even  what  shall  befall  them  in  a  time 
to  come.  For,  behold !  I  am  about  to  call  on 
them  to  give  heed  to  the  light  and  glory  of 
Zion,  for  the  set  time  has  come  to  favour  her. 

"  Call  ye,  therefore,  upon  them  with  loud 
proclamation  and  with  your  testimony,  fearing 
them  not,  for  they  are  as  grass,  and  all  their 
glory  as  the  flower  thereof,  which  soon  falleth, 
that  they  may  be  left  also  without  excuse,  and 
that  I  may  visit  them  in  the  day  of  visitation, 
when  I  shall  unveil  the  face  of  my  covering,  to 
appoint  the  portion  of  the  oppressor  among 
hypocrites,  where  there  is  gnashing  of  teeth,  if 
they  reject  my  servants  and  my  testimony  which 
I  have  revealed  unto  them  And  again,  I  will 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     169 

visit  and  soften  their  hearts,  many  of  them,  for 
your  good,  that  ye  may  find  grace  in  their  eyes, 
that  they  may  come  to  the  light  of  truth,  and 
the  Gentiles  to  the  exaltation  or  lifting  up  of 
Zion.  For  the  day  of  my  visitation  cometh 
speedily,  and  in  an  hour  when  ye  think  not  of, 
and  where  shall  be  the  safety  of  my  people  ? 
and  refuge  for  those  who  shall  be  left  of  them  ? 
Awake!  O  kings  of  the  earth!  Come  ye,  O!  come 
ye  with  your  gold  and  your  silver,  to  the  help  of 
my  people — to  the  house  of  the  daughter  of  Zion. 

"  And  again,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  let  my 
servant  Robert  B.  Thompson  help  you  to  write 
this  proclamation,  for  I  am  well  pleased  with 
him,  and  that  he  should  be  with  you  ;  let  him, 
therefore,  hearken  to  your  counsel,  and  I  will 
bless  him  with  a  multiplicity  of  blessings ;  let 
him  be  faithful  and  true  in  all  things  from  hence- 
forth, and  he  shall  be  great  in  mine  eyes  ;  but 
let  him  remember  that  his  stewardship  will  I 
require  at  his  hands. 

"  And  again,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  blessed  is 
my  servant  Hyrum  Smith,  for  I  the  Lord  loveth 
him,  because  of  the  integrity  of  his  heart,  and 
because  he  loveth  that  which  is  right  before  me 
saith  the  Lord. 

"Again,  let  my  servant  John  C.  Bennett  help 
you  in  your  labour,  in  sending  my  word  to  the 
kings  and  people  of  the  earth,  and  stand  by  you, 
even  you  my  servant  Joseph  Smith,  in  the  hour 
of  affliction,  and  his  reward  shall  not  fail  if  he 
receive  counsel ;  and  for  his  love,  he  shall  be 
<rreat ;  for  he  shall  be  mine  if  he  does  this,  saith 


170     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

the  Lord.  I  have  seen  the  work  he  hath  done, 
which  I  accept,  if  he  continue ;  and  will  crown 
him  with  blessings  and  great  glory. 

"  And  again,  I  say  unto  you,  that  it  is  my  will 
that  my  servant  Lyman  Wight  should  continue 
in  preaching  for  Zion,  in  the  spirit  of  meekness, 
confessing  me  before  the  world,  and  I  will  bear 
him  up  as  on  eagle's  wings,  and  he  shall  beget 
glory  and  honour  to  himself,  and  to  my  name, 
that  when  he  shall  finish  his  work,  I  may  re- 
ceive him  unto  myself,  even  as  I  did  my  ser- 
vant David  Patten,  who  is  with  me  at  this  time, 
and  also  my  servant  Edward  Partridge,  and  also 
my  aged  servant  Joseph  Smith,  Sen.,  who  sitteth 
with  Abraham,  at  his  right  hand,  and  blessed  and 
holy  is  he,  for  he  is  mine. 

"  And  again,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  my  ser- 
vant George  Miller  is  without  guile,  he  may  be 
trusted  because  of  the  integrity  of  his  heart ; 
and  for  the  love  which  he  has  to  my  testimony ; 
I  the  Lord  loveth  him.  I  therefore  say  unto 
you,  I  seal  upon  his  head  the  office  of  a  bishop- 
ric,  like  unto  my  servant  Edward  Partridge, 
that  he  may  receive  the  consecrations  of  mine 
house,  that  he  may  administer  blessings  upon 
the  heads  of  the  poor  of  my  people,  saith  the 
Lord.  Let  no  man  despise  my  servant  George, 
for  he  shall  honour  me.  Let  my  servant  George, 
and  my  servant  Lyman,  and  my  servant  John 
Snider,  and  others,  build  a  house  unto  my  name, 
such  a  one  as  my  servant  Joseph  shall  show 
unto  them,  upon  the  place  which  he  shall  show 
unto  them  also.  And  it  shall  be  for  a  house  of 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     171 

boarding,  a  house  that  strangers  may  come  from 
afar  to  lodge  therein — therefore  let  it  be  a  good 
house,  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  the  weary 
traveller  may  find  health  and  safety,  while  he 
shall  contemplate  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  the 
corner-stone  I  have  appointed  for  Zion.  This 
house  shall  be  a  healthy  habitation,  if  it  be  built 
unto  my  name,  and  if  the  governor  which  shall 
be  appointed  unto  it,  shall  not  suffer  any  pollu- 
tion to  come  upon  it.  It  shall  be  holy,  or  the 
Lord  your  God  will  not  dwell  therein. 

"  And  again,  verily,  verily  I  say  unto  yon,  let 
all  my  saints  from  afar ;  and  send  ye  swift  mes- 
sengers, yea  chosen  messengers,  and  say  unto 
them,  Come  ye  with  all  your  gold,  and  your 
silver,  and  your  precious  stones,  and  with  all 
your  antiquities ;  and  with  all  who  have  know- 
ledge of  antiquities,  that  will  come  may  come, 
and  bring  the  box  tree  and  the  fir  tree,  and  the 
pine  tree,  together  with  all  the  precious  trees 
of  the  earth,  and  with  iron,  and  with  copper,  and 
with  brass,  arid  with  zink,  and  with  all  your 
precious  things  of  the  earth,  and  build  a  house 
to  my  name,  for  the  Most  High  to  dwell  there- 
in ;  for  there  is  not  place  found  on  earth,  that 
he  may  come  and  restore  again  that  which  was 
lost  unto  you,  or,  which  he  hath  taken  away, 
even  the  fulness  of  the  priesthood ;  for  a  bap- 
tismal font  there  is  not  upon  the  earth;  that 
they,  my  saints,  may  be  baptized  for  those  who 
are  dead ;  for  this  ordinance  belongeth  to  my 
house,  and  cannot  be  acceptable  to  me,  only  in 
the  days  of  your  poverty,  wherein  ye  are  not 


\.TZ     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

able  to  build  a  house  unto  me.  But  I  command 
you,  all  ye  my  saints,  to  build  a  house  unto  me, 
and  I  grant  unto  you  a  sufficient  time  to  build  a 
house  unto  me  ;  and  during  this  time  your  bap- 
tisms shall  be  acceptable  unto  me.  But,  behold, 
at  the  end  of  this  appointment,  your  baptisms 
for  your  dead  shall  not  be  acceptable  unto  me  ; 
and  if  you  do  not  these  things,  at  the  end  of  the 
appointment,  ye  shall  be  rejected  as  a  church  with 
your  dead,  saith  the  Lord  your  God,  For,  verily, 
I  say  unto  you,  that  after  you  have  had  suffi- 
cient time  to  build  a  house  unto  me,  wherein 
the  ordinance  of  baptism  for  the  dead  belong- 
eth,  and  for  which  the  same  was  instituted  from 
before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  your  bap- 
tisms for  your  dead  cannot  be  acceptable  unto 
me,  for  therein  are  the  keys  of  the  holy  priest- 
hood ordained,  that  you  may  receive  honour  and 
glory.  And  after  this  time,  your  baptisms  for 
the  dead,  by  those  who  are  scattered  abroad, 
are  not  acceptable  unto  me,  saith  the  Lord;  for 
it  is  ordained  that  in  Zion  and  in  her  stakes, 
and  in  Jerusalem,  those  places  which  I  have 
appointed  for  refuge,  shall  be  the  places  for  the 
baptisms  for  your  dead. 

"  And  again,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  how  shall 
your  washings  be  acceptable  unto  me,  except 
ye  perform  them  in  a  house  which  you  have 
built  to  my  name  ?  For,  for  this  cause  I  com- 
manded Moses,  that  he  should  build  a  taberna- 
cle, that  they  should  bear  it  with  them  in  the 
wilderness,  and  to  build  a  house  in  the  land  of 
promise,  that  those  ordinances  might  be  reveal 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     173 

ed,  which  had  been  hid  from  before  the  world 
was  ;  therefore  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  your 
anointings,  and  your  washings,  and  your  bap- 
tisms for  the  dead,  and  your  solemn  assemblies, 
and  your  memorials  for  your  sacrifices,  by  the 
sons  of  Levi,  and  your  oracles  in  your  most 
holy  places,  wherein  you  receive  conversations, 
and  your  statutes,  and  judgments,  for  the  begin- 
ning of  the  revelations  and  foundation  of  Zion, 
and  for  the  glory,  honour,  and  adornment  of  all 
her  municiples,  are  ordained  by  the  ordinance 
of  my  holy  house,  which  my  people  are  always 
commanded  to  build  unto  my  holy  name. 

"  And  verily  I  say  unto  you,  let  this  house  be 
built  unto  my  name,  that  I  may  reveal  mine  or- 
dinances therein  unto  my  people  ;  for  /  design 
to  reveal  unto  my  church,  things  which  have 
been  kept  hid  from  the  foundation  of  the  world 
— things  that  pertain  to  the  dispensation  of  the 
fulness  of  times ;  and  I  will  show  unto  my  ser- 
vant Joseph,  all  things  pertaining  to  this  house, 
and  the  priesthood  thereof,  and  the  place 
whereon  it  shall  be  built ;  and  ye  shall  build 
it  on  the  place  where  you  have  contemplated 
building  it,  for  that  is  the  spot  which  I  have 
chosen  for  you  to  build  it.  If  ye  labour  with 
all  your  mights,  I  will  consecrate  that  spot,  that 
it  shall  be  made  holy  ;  and  if  my  people  will 
hearken  to  my  voice,  and  unto  the  voice  of  my 
servants  whom  I  have  appointed,  to  lead  my 
people,  behold,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  they  shall 
not  be  moved  out  of  their  place.  But  if  they 
will  not  hearken  to  my  voice,  nor  unto  the  voice 


174     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

of  those  men  whom  I  have  appointed,  they 
shall  not  be  blest,  because  they  pollute  my 
holy  grounds,  and  my  holy  ordinances,  and 
charters,  and  my  holy  words,  which  I  give  unto 
them. 

"  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  if  you  build 
a  house  unto  my  name,  and  do  not  do  the  things 
that  I  say,  I  will  not  perform  the  oath  which  I 
make  unto  you,  neither  fulfil  the  promises 
which  ye  expect  at  my  hands,  saith  the  Lord  : 
for,  instead  of  blessings,  ye,  by  your  own 
works,  bring  cursings,  wrath,  indignation,  and 
judgment  upon  your  own  heads  by  your  follies, 
and  by  all  your  abominations,  which  you  prac- 
tise before  me,  saith  the  Lord. 

"  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  that  when  I 
give  a  commandment  to  any  of  the  sons  of  men, 
to  do  a  work  unto  my  name,  and  those  sons  of 
men  go  with  all  their  mights,  and  with  all  they 
have,  to  perform  that  work,  and  cease  not  their 
diligence,  and  their  enemies  come  upon  them, 
and  hinder  them  from  performing  that  work, 
behold,  it  behooveth  me  to  require  that  work 
no  more  at  the  hands  of  those  sons  of  men,  but 
to  accept  of  their  offerings  ;  and  the  iniquity 
and  transgression  of  my  holy  laws  and  com- 
mandments, I  will  visit  upon  the  heads  of  those 
who  hindered  my  work,  unto  the  third  and 
fourth  generation,  so  long  as  they  repent  not, 
and  hate  me,  saith  the  Lord  God.  Therefore, 
for  this  cause  have  I  accepted  the  offerings  of 
those  men  whom  I  commanded  to  build  up  a 
city  and  a  house  unto  my  name  in  Jackson 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     175 

county,  Missouri,  and  were  hindered  by  their 
enemies,  saith  the  Lord  your  God :  and  I  will 
answer  judgment,  wrath,  indignation,  wailing, 
anguish  and  gnashing  of  teeth,  upon  their  heads, 
unto  the  third  and  fourth  generation,  so  long  as 
they  repent  not,  and  hate  me,  saith  the  Lord 
your  God.  And  this  I  make  an  ensample  unto 
you,  for  your  consolation,  concerning  all  those 
who  have  been  commanded  to  do  a  work,  and 
have  been  hindered  by  the  hands  of  their  ene- 
mies, and  by  oppression,  saith  the  Lord  your 
God ;  for  I  am  the  Lord  your  God,  and  will 
save  all  those  of  your  brethren  who  have  been 
pure  in  heart,  and  have  been  slain  in  the  land 
of  Missouri,  saith  the  Lord. 

"  And  again,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  I  com- 
mand you  again  to  build  a  house  to  my  name, 
even  in  this  place,  that  ye  may  prove  yourselves 
unto  me,  that  ye  are  faithful  in  all  things  what- 
soever I  command  you,  that  I  may  bless  you, 
and  crown  you  with  honour,  immortality,  and 
eternal  life. 

"  And  now,  I  say  unto  you,  as  pertaining  to 
my  boarding-house,  which  I  have  commanded 
you  to  build  for  the  boarding  of  strangers,  let  it 
be  built  unto  my  name,  and  let  my  name  be 
named  upon  it,  and  let  my  servant  Joseph  and 
HIS  HOUSE  have  place  therein  from  generation 
to  generation.  For  this  anointing  have  I  put 
upon  his  head,  that  his  blessing  shall  also  be  put 
upon  the  heads  of  his  posterity  after  him,  and  as 
I  said  unto  Abraham,  concerning  the  kindreds 
of  the  earth,  even  so,  I  say  unto  my  servant 


176     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

Joseph,  in  thee,  and  in  thy  seed,  shall  the  kin- 
dreds of  the  earth  be  blessed. 

"  Therefore,  let  my  servant  Joseph,  and  his 
seed  after  him,  have  place  in  that  house  from 
generation  to  generation  for  ever  and  ever,  saith 
the  Lord,  and  let  the  name  of  that  house  be 
called  the  Nauvoo  House,  and  let  it  be  a  de- 
lightful habitation  for  man,  and  a  resting  place 
for  the  weary  traveller,  that  he  may  contem- 
plate the  glory  of  Zion,  and  the  glory  of  this  the 
corner-stone  thereof ;  that  he  may  receive,  also, 
the  counsel  from  those  whom  I  have  sent  to  be 
as  plants  of  renown,  and  as  watchmen  upon  her 
walls. 

"  Behold!  verily  I  say  unto  you,  let  my  ser- 
vant George  Miller,  and  my  servant  Lyman 
Wight,  and  my  servant  John  Snider,  and  my 
servant  Peter  Hawes,  organize  themselves,  and 
appoint  one  of  them  to  be  a  president  over  their 
quorum  for  the  purpose  of  building  that  house. 

"  And  again,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  if  my 
servant  George  Miller,  and  my  servant  Lyman 
Wight,  and  my  servant  John  Snider,  and  my  ser- 
vant Peter  Hawes,  receive  any  stock  into  their 
hands,  in  moneys,  or  in  properties  wherein  they 
receive  the  real  value  of  moneys,  they  shall  not 
appropriate  any  portion  of  that  stock  to  any  other 
purpose,  only  in  that  house  ;  and  if  they  do  ap- 
propriate any  portion  of  that  stock  anywhere 
else,  only  in  that  house,  without  the  consent  of 
the  stockholders,  and  do  not  repay  four-fold,  they 
shall  be  accursed,  and  shall  be  removed  out  of 
their  place  saith  the  Lord  God,  for  I  the  Lord 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     177 

am  God,  and  cannot  be  mocked  in  any  of  these 
things. 

"  Let  my  servant  Vinson  Knight  lift  up  his 
voice  long  and  loud  in  the  midst  of  the  people, 
to  plead  the  cause  of  the  poor  and  needy,  and 
let  him  not  fail,  neither  let  his  heart  faint,  and 
I  will  accept  of  his  offerings,  for  they  shall  not 
be  unto  me  as  the  offerings  of  Cain,  for  he  shall 
be  mine,  saith  the  Lord.  Let  his  family  rejoice 
and  turn  away  their  hearts  from  affliction,  for  I 
have  chosen  and  anointed  him,  and  he  shall  be 
honoured  in  the  midst  of  his  house,  for  I  will 
forgive  all  his  sins,  saith  the  Lord.  Amen. 

"Let  my  servant  Isaac  Galland put  STOCK  in 
that  house,  for  I  the  Lord  loveth  him  for  the 
work  he  hath  done,  and  will  forgive  all  his  sins, 
therefore  let  him  be  remembered  for  an  interest 
in  that  house  from  generation  to  generation. 
Let  my  servant  Isaac  Galland  be  appointed 
among  you,  and  be  ordained  by  my  servant 
William  Marks,  and  be  blessed  of  him,  to  go 
with  my  servant  Hyrum  to  accomplish  the  work 
that  my  servant  Joseph  shall  point  out  to  them, 
and  they  shall  be  greatly  blessed.* 

"Let  my  servant  William  Law  pay  stock  in 
that  house  for  himself  and  his  seed  after  him, 
from  generation  to  generation.  If  he  will  do 
my  will  let  him  not  take  his  family  unto  the 
eastern  lands,  even  unto  Kirtland  ;  nevertheless 
I  the  Lord  will  build  up  Kirtland,  but  I  the 

*  This  work  was  to  visit  Washington  among  the  crowd 
of  office  and  favour-seekers  who  thronged  that  capitol  OP 
the  accession  of  General  Harrison  to  the  presidency. 
12 


178     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

Lord  have  a  scourge  prepared  for  the  inhabit- 
ants thereof.  Let  no  man  go  from  this  place 
who  has  come  here  assaying  to  keep  my  com- 
mandments. If  they  live  here,  let  them  live 
unto  me,  and  if  they  die,  let  them  die  unto  me ; 
for  they  shall  rest  from  all  their  labours  here, 
and  shall  continue  their  works.  Therefore,  let 
my  servant  William  put  his  trust  in  me,  and 
cease  to  fear  concerning  his  family,  because 
of  the  sickness  of  the  land.  If  ye  love  me  keep 
my  commandments,  and  the  sickness  of  the 
land  shall  redound  to  your  glory. 

"  Let  my  servant  William  go  and  proclaim 
mine  everlasting  gospel,  with  a  loud  voice,  and 
with  great  joy,  as  he  shall  be  moved  upon  by 
my  spirit,  unto  the  inhabitants  of  Warsaw,  and 
also  unto  the  inhabitants  of  Carthage,  and  also 
unto  the  inhabitants  of  Burlington,  and  also 
unto  the  inhabitants  of  Madison,  and  then  await 
patiently  and  diligently  for  further  instructions 
at  MY  general  conference,  saith  the  Lord.  If 
he  will  do  my  will  let  him,  from  henceforth, 
hearken  to  the  counsel  of  my  servant  Joseph, 
and  with  his  interest  support  the  cause  of  the 
poor,  and  publish  the  new  translation  of  my  holy 
word  unto  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth ;  and  if 
he  will  do  this,  I  will  bless  him  with  a  multi- 
plicity of  blessings,  that  he  shall  not  be  for- 
saken. 

"  And  again,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  let  my 
servant  William  be  appointed,  ordained,  and 
anointed  as  a  counsellor  unto  my  servant  Jo- 
seph, in  the  room  of  my  servant  Hyrum ;  that 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     179 

my  servant  Hyrum  may  take  the  office  of  priest- 
hood and  patriarch,  which  was  appointed  unto 
him  by  his  father,  by  blessing  and  also  by  right, 
that  from  henceforth  he  shall  hold  the  keys  of 
the  patriarchal  blessings  upon  the  heads  of  all 
my  people,  that  whoever  HE  blesses  shall  be 
blessed,  and  whoever  he  curseth  shall  be  cursed 
— that  whatsoever  he  shall  bind  on  earth  shall 
be  bound  in  heaven,  and  whatsoever  he  shall 
loose  on  earth  shall  be  loosed  in  heaven  ;  and 
from  this  time  forth,  I  appoint  unto  him,  that  he 
may  be  a  prophet,  and  a  seer,  and  a  revelator 
unto  my  church,  as  well  as  my  servant  Joseph, 
that  he  may  act  in  concert  also  with  my  servant 
Joseph,  and  that  he  shall  receive  counsel  from 
my  servant  Joseph,  who  shall  show  unto  him 
the  keys,  whereby  he  may  ask  and  receive, 
and  be  crowned  with  the  same  blessings.  I 
crown  upon  his  head  the  bishopric,  and  bless- 
ing, and  glory,  and  honour,  and  priesthood,  and 
gifts  of  the  priesthood,  that  once  were  put  upon 
him,  that  was  rny  servant  Oliver  Cowdery ;  that 
my  servant  Hyrum  may  bear  record  of  the 
things  which  I  shall  show  unto  him,  that  his 
name  may  be  had  in  honourable  remembrance 
from  generation  to  generation  for  ever  and  ever. 
Let  my  servant  William  Law  also  receive  the 
keys,  by  which  he  may  ask  and  receive  bless- 
ings ;  let  him  be  humble  before  me,  and  be 
without  guile,  and  he  shall  receive  my  spirit, 
even  the  comforter,  which  shall  manifest  unto 
him  the  truth  of  all  things,  and  shall  give  him 
in  the  very  hour  what  he  shall  say,  and  these 


180  MORMONISM    AJXD  THE  MORMONS. 

signs  shall  follow  him  :  he  shall  heal  the  sick, 
he  shall  cast  out  devils,  and  shall  be  delivered 
from  those  who  would  administer  unto  him 
deadly  poison,  and  shall  be  led  in  paths  where 
the  poisonous  serpent  cannot  lay  hold  upon  his 
heel ;  and  he  shall  mount  up  as  upon  eagle's 
wings  ;  and,  what  if  I  will  that  he  should  raise 
the  dead,  let  him  not  withhold  his  voice.  There- 
fore, let  my  servant  William  cry  aloud  and  spare 
not,  with  joy  and  rejoicing,  and  with  hosannas 
to  him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne  for  ever  and 
ever,  saith  the  Lord  your  God. 

"  Behold  !  I  say  unto  you,  I  have  a  mission 
in  store  for  my  servant  William,  and  my  servant 
Hyrum,  and  for  them  alone,  and  let  my  servant 
Joseph  tarry  at  home,  for  he  is  needed  ;  the  re- 
mainder I  will  show  unto  you  hereafter,  even 
so.  Amen. 

"  And  again,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  if  my 
servant  Sidney  will  serve  me,  and  be  a  coun- 
sellor unto  my  servant  Joseph,  let  him  arise, 
and  come  up  and  stand  in  the  office  of  his  call- 
ing, and  humble  himself  before  me  ;  and  if  he 
will  offer  unto  me  an  acceptable  offering  and 
acknowledgments,  and  remain  with  my  people  ; 
behold  I  the  Lord  your  God  will  heal  him  that 
he  shall  be  healed,  and  he  shall  lift  up  his  voice 
again  on  the  mountains,  and  be  a  spokesman 
before  my  face.  Let  him  come  and  locate  his 
family  in  the  neighbourhood  in  which  my  servant 
Joseph  resides,  and  in  all  his  journeyings  let  him 
lift  up  his  voice  as  with  the  sound  of  a  trump,  and 
warn  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  to  flee  the 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     181 

wrath  to  come :  let  him  assist  my  servant  Joseph, 
and  also,  let  my  servant  William  Law  assist  my 
servant  Joseph  in  making  a  proclamation  unto 
the  kings  of  the  earth,  even  as  I  have  before 
said  unto  you.  If  my  servant  Sidney  will  do 
my  will,  let  him  not  move  his  family  unto  the 
eastern  lands,  but  let  him  change  their  habita- 
tion even  as  I  have  said.  Behold  it  is  not  my 
will  that  he  shall  seek  to  find  safety  and  refuge 
out  of  the  city  which  I  have  appointed  unto  you, 
even  the  city  of  Nauvoo.  Verily  I  say  unto 
you,  even  now,  if  he  will  hearken  to  my  voice 
it  shall  be  well  with  him." 

Should  any  individual  be  still  in  doubt  re- 
specting the  true  character  of  Mormonism,  a 
perusal  of  the  above  document  ought  to  satisfy 
him.  The  italicising  is  our  own,  done  with  a 
view  to  saving  ourselves  the  labour  of  comment, 
in  pointing  out  its  beauties  of  style  and  senti- 
ment. Let  the  reader  reflect.  The  above  lan- 
guage purports  to  have  been  uttered  by  the 
Almighty  Ruler  of  the  universe.  Profanity, 
where  is  thy  blush  !  A  proclamation  is  to  be 
made  to  the  kings  of  the  world,  the  president 
elect  and  the  governors  of  the  nation  :  "  O  come 
ye  with  your  GOLD  and  SILVER  to  the  help  of 
my  people,  [the  Mormons,]  to  the  house  of  the 
daughter  of  Zion." 

In  order  to  understand  the  propriety  of  the 
scheme  requiring  a  boarding-house  to  be  erected 
for  the  Lord,  the  reader  perhaps  needs  to  be 
informed  that,  according  to  Mormonism,  God  is 
a  material  being !  On  this  subject  more  anon 


182     MORMONISM  ANE  THE  MORMONS. 

As  to  Joseph  Smith  requiring  a  portion  of  said 
house  (to  cost  $100,000)  to  be  settled  on  him 
and  his  heirs  in  due  form  of  law,  there  is  no 
mystery  at  all.  The  veriest  simpleton  can 
comprehend  that.  The  Mormon  religion  had 
its  origin  in  one  of  his  plans  "to  get  rid  of 
work,"  and  it  may  with  all  propriety  be  per- 
fected by  a  scheme  for  enriching  his  heirs. 

It  appears  from  the  above  revelation  that  a 
falling  out  had  occurred  between  the  prophet 
and  Rigdon,  for  which  the  latter  had  to  do  pen- 
ance by  moving  nearer  to  his  master  Joseph, 
instead  of  being  at  liberty  to  retire  from  a 
locality  that  had  nearly  cost  him  his  life  through 
severe  sickness.  This  affair  appears  to  have 
been  settled  soon  after  by  a  conciliatory  mea- 
sure, according  to  which  Rigdon  was  "ordained 
a  prophet,  seer,  and  revelator." 

Not  long  subsequent  to  the  issue  of  the  edict 
copied  above,  Bennett  was  appointed  a  delegate 
to  Springfield,  where  he  obtained  from  the 
legislature  of  Illinois,  then  in  session,  very 
ample  and  favourable  charters  for  the  city  of 
Nauvoo,  a  literary  institution  to  be  denominated 
the  Nauvoo  University,  and  a  military  body  to 
be  called  the  Nauvoo  Legion.  What  should 
the  Rev.  J.  C.  Bennett,  M.  D.,  immediately  be- 
come but  mayor  of  the  city,  major-general  of  the 
legion,  and  chancellor  of  the  university  ?  He 
has  since  been  appointed  master  in  chancery ! ! 
What  a  weight  of  blooming  honours  ! ! ! 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     183 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Military  organization — General  orders — Astonishing 
parade — Smith  outdoes  Matthias — Progress  of  the  sect  in 
England — Letter  to  the  queen — Literary  eminence — 
Moving  orders — Dissatisfaction  among  the  emigrants — 
Latest  instructions — Advantages  of  the  Mormon  policy. 

AN  extensive  military  organization,  although 
not  expressly  mentioned  in  Galland's  letter, 
corresponds  to  his  general  policy,  and  has  been 
vigorously  taken  in  hand  by  the  valorous  Gen. 
.  Bennett.  It  was  manifestly  designed  to  an- 
swer several  important  objects. 

1.  To  serve  as  a  check  to  the  quarrelsome 
propensities  of  some  of  their  neighbours.  2.  To 
put  themselves  in  a  condition  to  resist,  and  re- 
venge any  future  attack.  3.  To  make  use  of 
the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  military  parade, 
as  a  means  of  astonishing  the  natives,  and  of 
drawing  in  a  class  of  adherents  that  could  be 
secured  in  no  other  way. 

Nevertheless,  the  majority  of  the  Mormons 
were  peaceable  people,  and  great  efforts  had 
to  be  put  forth  in  order  to  secure  their  enlist- 
ment, especially  when  they  were  required  in 
their  poverty  to  provide  an  expensive  uniform. 
Yet  poor  as  they  were,  following  the  example 
of  their  elders  and  the  summons  of  their  pro- 
phet, most  of  them  have  now  become  soldiers. 
The  martial  style  in  which  they  display  them- 
selves from  time  to  time  has  already  been  cele- 
brated in  the  most  extravagant  strains  of  both 
prose  and  verse. 


184     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

We  subjoin  a  few  extracts  from  the  general 
orders  of  this  redoubtable  legion  : — 

"  NATJVOO    LEGION. 
"  HEAD-QUARTERS,  NAUVOO  LEGION,       ) 
City  of  Nauvoo,  HI.,  May  4,  A.  D.  1841.    $ 
"GENERAL  ORDERS. 

"  Pursuant  to  an  act  of  the  court-martial,  the 
troops  attached  or  belonging  to  the  legion  will 
parade  at  the  place  of  general  rendezvous,  in 
the  city  of  Nauvoo,  for  drill,  review,  and  in- 
spection, on  Saturday,  the  3d  day  of  July  prox- 
imo, at  half-past  9  o'clock,  A.  M.,  armed  and 
equipped  according  to  law. 

"At  10  o'clock  the  line  will  be  formed,  and 
the  general  officers  conducted  to  their  posts, 
under  a  fire  of  artillery. 

"  The  lieutenant  general  desires  that  all  his 
FRIENDS  should  attach  themselves  to  some  compa- 
ny, either  in  the  1st  or  2d  cohort.  This  will  en- 
able them  to  receive  correct  military  instruc- 
tion under  the  teachings  of  experienced  officers, 
according  to  the  drill  and  discipline  of  the 
United  States  army — and  qualify  them  for  effi- 
cient service  in  the  cause  of  their  beloved  coun- 
try, and  state,  in  the  hour  of  peril. 

"  The  eleven  companies  of  minute  men  will 
at  all  times  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  ex- 
ecute the  laws,  as  originally  instructed  by  the 
general  officers." 

"  HEAD-QUARTERS,  NAUVOO  LEGION,          ) 
City  of  Nauvoo,  Illinois,  May  25th,  A.  D.  1841.  J 

"  GENERAL  ORDERS. 

"The  1st  company,  (riflemen,)  1st  battalion, 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS     185 

2d  regiment,  2d  cohort,  will  be  attached  to  the 
escort  contemplated  in  the  general  orders  of 
the  4th  inst.,  for  the  3d  of  July  next. 

"  In  forming  the  legion  the  adjutant  will  ob- 
serve the  rank  of  companies  as  follows,  to  wit : 

"  1st  cohort — the  flying  artillery  first,  the 
lancers  next,  and  the  riflemen  next :  visiting 
companies  of  dragoons  next  the  lancers,  arid 
cavalry  next  the  dragoons. 

"  2d  cohort — the  artillery  first,  the  lancers 
next,  the  riflemen  next,  the  light  infantry  next, 
and  the  infantry  next:  visiting  companies  in 
their  appropriate  places  on  the  right  of  the 
troops  of  their  own  grade  :  the  ranking  company 
of  the  1st  cohort  will  be  formed  on  the  right  of 
said  cohort,  and  the  ranking  company  of  the 
2d  cohort  will  be  formed  on  the  left  of  said  co- 
hort ;  the  next  on  the  left  of  the  right;  the  next 
on  the  right  of  the  left ;  and  so  on  to  the  cen- 
tre. The  escort  will  be  formed  on  the  right  of 
the  forces. 

"JOSEPH  SMITH,  Lieutenant  General. 

"JoHN  C.  BENNETT,  Major  General." 

On  the  occasion  provided  for  by  the  above 
orders,  the  Times  and  Seasons  remarks,  "  The 
N.  Legion  appeared  in  its  glory,  and  presented 
a  beautiful  appearance.  It  will  soon  compare 
with  the  best  military  organization  in  the 
Union." 

A  still  greater  performance  was  had  on  the 
occasion  of  laying  the  corner-stones  of  the  new 
temple.  One  of  the  gentlemen  appointed  to 


186     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

assist  in  drawing  up  the  proclamation  to  "  the 
kings  of  the  world  and  the  president  elect," 
thus  commences  his  description  of  the  parade — 

"  0  that  I  could  paint  the  scenes, 

Which  on  my  heart  are  sketched." 

After  some  preliminary  flourishes,  he  pro- 
ceeds— 

"  At  eight  o'clock,  A.  M.,  Major  General 
Bennett  left  his  quarters  to  organize  and  pre- 
pare the  legion  for  the  duties  of  the  day,  which 
consisted  of  about  fourteen  companies,  several 
in  uniform,  besides  several  companies  from 
Iowa,  and  other  parts  of  the  country,  which 
joined  them  on  the  occasion. 

"At  half-past  nine  Lieut.  General  Smith  was 
informed  that  the  legion  was  organized  and 
ready  for  review,  and  immediately,  accompa- 
nied by  his  staff,  consisting  of  four  aids-de- 
camp, and  twelve  guards,  nearly  all  in  splendid 
uniforms,  took  his  march  to  the  parade  ground. 
On  their  approach  they  were  met  by  the  band, 
beautifully  equipped,  who  received  them  with 
a  flourish  of  trumpets  and  a  regular  salute,  and 
then  struck  up  a  lively  air,  marching  in  front  to 
the  stand  of  the  lieut.  general.  On  his  approach 
to  the  parade  ground  the  artillery  was  again 
fired,  and  the  legion  gave  an  appropriate  salute 
while  passing.  This  was  indeed  a  glorious 
sight,  such  as  we  never  saw,  nor  did  we  ever 
expect  to  see  such  a  one  in  the  west.  The 
several  companies  presented  a  beautiful  and  in- 
teresting spectacle,  several  of  them  being  uni- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    187 

formed  and  equipped,  while  the  RICH  and 
COSTLY  DRESSES  of  the  officers  would  have  be- 
come a  Bonaparte  or  a  Washington. 

"  After  the  arrival  of  Lieut.  General  Smith, 
the  ladies,  who  had  made  a  beautiful  silk  flag, 
drove  up  in  a  carriage,  to  present  it  to  the  le- 
gion. Maj.  General  Bennett  very  politely  at- 
tended on  them,  and  conducted  them  in  front 
of  Lieut.  General  Smith,  who  immediately 
alighted  from  his  charger,  and  walked  up  to  the 
ladies,  who  presented  the  flag,  making  an  ap- 
propriate address.  Lieut.  General  Smith  ac- 
knowledged the  honour  conferred  upon  the  le- 
gion, and  stated  that  as  long  as  he  had  the 
command,  it  should  never  be  disgraced ;  and 
then  politely  bowing  to  the  ladies,  gave  it  into 
the  hands  of  Maj.  General  Bennett,  who  placed 
it  in  possession  of  Cornet  Robinson,  and  it  was 
soon  seen  gracefully  waving  in  front  of  the 
legion.  During  the  time  of  presentation  the 
band  struck  up  a  lively  air,  and  another  salute 
was  fired  from  the  artillery. 

"After  the  presentation  of  the  flag,  Lieut.  Ge- 
neral Smith,  accompanied  by  his  suite,  reviewed 
the  legion,  which  presented  a  very  imposing 
appearance,  the  different  officers  saluting  as  he 
passed.  Lieut.  General  Smith  then  took  his 
former  stand,  and  the  whole  legion,  by  compa- 
nies, passed  before  him  in  review 

"  THE   PROCESSION. 

"  Immediately  after  the  review,  Gen.  Bennett 
organized  the  procession,  to  march  to  the  founda 


188     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

tion  of  the  temple,  in  the  following  order,  to 
wit : 

"  Lieut.  Gen.  Smith, 

Brig.  Generals  Law  and  Smith, 

Aids-de-camp,  and  conspicuous  strangers, 

General  staff, 

Band, 
2nd  cohort,  (foot  troops,) 

Ladies,  eight  abreast, 
Gentlemen,  eight  abreast, 
1st  cohort,  (horse  troops.) 
k'  Owing  to  the  vast  numbers  who  joined  in 
the  procession,  it  was  a  considerable  length  of 
time  before  the  whole  could  be  organized. 

"  The  procession  then  began  to  move  forward 
in  order,  and  on  their  arrival  at  the  Temple  block, 
the  generals,  with  their  staffs  and  the  distinguish- 
ed strangers  present,  took  their  position  inside 
the  foundation,  the  ladies  formed  on  the  outside 
immediately  next  the  walls,  the  gentlemen  and 
infantry  behind,  and  the  cavalry  in  the  rear. 

"  The  assembly  being  stationed,  the  choris- 
ters, under  the  superintendence  of  B.  S.  Wilber, 
sung  an  appropriate  hymn. 

"  Prest.  Rigdon  then  ascended  the  platform, 
which  had  been  prepared  for  the  purpose,  and 
delivered  a  suitable  ORATION,  which  was  lis- 
tened to  with  the  most  profound  attention  by 
the  assembly." 

This  verily  beats  Matthias.  That  prophet, 
with  all  the  splendour  of  his  long  beard,  his 
green  frock  coat,  and  his  red  sash,  would  not 
bear  comparison  with  Lieutenant  General  Jo- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     189 

seph  Smith  in  regimentals.  The  former  claimed 
to  be  the  Almighty  himself ;  but  the  latter  is 
content  with  making  people  believe  him  to  be 
God's  chief  revelator.  The  former,  though  the 
older  man,  was  childish  enough  to  be 

"  Pleased  with  a  rattle,  tickled  with  a  straw," 
Smith  "  struts  a  soldier,"  uniformed  and  equip- 
ped in  a  dress  so  rich  and  costly  that  it  would 
have  become  a  Bonaparte  or  a  Washington  ! 

We  here  take  occasion  to  remark,  that  the 
mayor  of  Nauvoo  deserves  praise  for  the  stand 
he  has  taken  in  favour  of  temperance.  The 
retailing  of  ardent  spirits  is  not  permitted  within 
the  bounds  of  the  corporation,  and  to  the  credit 
of  the  Nauvoo  House  no  intoxicating  drinks  are 
to  be  used  or  vended  in  that  edifice. 

As  some  of  our  readers  may  design  visiting 
Nauvoo,  we  have  no  doubt  they  would  be  in- 
terested in  learning  what  preparations  are  al- 
ready in  progress  for  their  reception.  We 
therefore  give  a  part  of  the 

"  CHARTER  FOR  THE  NAUVOO   HOUSE. 

11  An  act  to  incorporate  the  Nauvoo  House  Association. 
"  Sec.  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the 
state  of  Illinois,  represented  in  the  General 
Assembly,  that  George  Miller,  Lyman  Wight, 
John  Snider,  and  Peter  Hawes,  and  their  asso- 
ciates, are  hereby  declared  a  body  corporate, 
under  the  name  and  style  of  the  Nauvoo  House 
Association,  and  they  are  hereby  authorized  to 
erect  and  furnish  a  public  house  of  entertain- 
ment, to  be  called  the  '  Nauvoo  House.' 


190    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

"  Sec.  3.  The  said  trustees  are  further  author- 
ized and  empowered  to  obtain  by  stock  sub- 
scription, by  themselves  or  their  duly  authorized 
agents,  the  sum  of  one  hundred  arid  fifty  thou- 
sand dollars,  which  shall  be  divided  into  shares 
of  fifty  dollars  each. 

"  Sec.  7.  They  shall  also  take  the  general 
care  and  supervision  in  procuring  materials  for 
said  house,  and  constructing  and  erecting  the 
same,  and  further  to  superintend  its  general 
management,  and  to  do  and  perform  all  mat- 
ters and  things  which  may  be  necessary  to  be 
done  in  order  to  secure  the  interests  and  pro 
mote  the  objects  of  this  association. 

"  Sec.  8.  This  association  shall  continue 
twenty  years  from  the  passage  of  this  act,  and 
the  house  herein  provided  for  shall  be  kept  for 
the  accommodation  of  strangers,  travellers,  and 
all  other  persons  who  may  resort  thereto,  for 
rest  and  refreshment. 

"  Sec.  9.  It  is  moreover  established  as  a  per- 
petual rule  of  said  house,  to  be  observed  by  all 
persons  who  may  keep  or  occupy  the  same,  that 
spirituous  liquors  of  every  description  are  pro- 
hibited, and  that  such  liquors  shall  never  be 
vended  as  a  beverage,  or  introduced  into  com- 
mon use,  in  said  house. 

"Sec.  10.  And  whereas  Joseph  Smith  has 
furnished  the  said  association  with  the  ground 
whereon  to  erect  said  house,  it  is  further  de- 
clared, that  the  said  Smith,  and  his  heirs,  shall 
hold  by  perpetual  succession  a  suite  of  rooms  in 
the  said  house,  to  be  set  apart  and  conveyed  in 


MORMONJSM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     191 

due  form  of  law  to  him  and  his  heirs  by  said 
trustees  as  soon  as  the  same  are  completed" 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  prophet's  rooms 
will  not  occupy  the  whole  house. 

We  have  already  mentioned  that  the  twelve 
were  despatched  soon  after  the  Missouri  per- 
secution on  a  special  mission  to  England. 
The  following  extracts  from  their  official  cor- 
respondence will  show  the  success  they  met. 
with : — 

G.  A.  Smith  writes  from  Staffordshire,  June 
6th,  1840,  "  The  principles  of  the  church  of  the 
Latter-day  Saints  are  gaining  rapidly  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  kingdom.  Some  fifty  or  sixty 
preachers,  of  different  denominations,  have  been 
baptized  since  we  landed  in  England,  and  thou- 
sands and  thousands  of  people  have  believed 
our  testimony;  although"  we  have  met  with 
some  opposition,  it  has  always  turned  in  our 
favour,  and  many  are  constantly  believing." 

W.  Woodruff  says,  in  a  letter  dated  Man- 
chester, 8th  July,  1840,  "We  have  held  two 
conferences  of  late  in  the  south  of  England, 
where  I  have  been  labouring.  The  first  was 
held  at  the  Gadfield  Elm-chapel,  Worcestershire, 
June  14th.  We  had  an  interesting  time.  We 
organized  twelve  churches,  and  transacted  much 
business.  The  other  was  held  on  the  21st  of 
June,  at  Stanlx  Hill,  Herefordshire.  Elder 
Richards  and  myself  conducted  the  meeting, 
with  the  help  of  God ;  and  I  never  saw  more 
business  executed  in  one  day  than  on  this  oc- 
casion. We  organized  twenty  churches,  ordain- 


192     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

ed  four  elders,  seven  priests,  and  four  teachers ; 
baptized  ten,  confirmed  twenty,  arid  blessed 
twenty  children  ;  besides  a  multitude  of  other 
business,  and  broke  bread  to  several  hundred 
saints,  &c.  *  *  *  *  The  work  had  been 
so  rapid,  it  was  impossible  to  ascertain  the  ex- 
act number  belonging  to  each  branch,  but  the 
whole  number  is  thirty-three  churches,  five 
hundred  and  thirty-four  members,  seventy-five 
officers,  viz.,  ten  elders,  fifty-two  priests,  and 
thirteen  teachers,  all  of  which  had  embraced 
the  work  in  less  than  four  months.  *  *  *  * 

"  We  have  set  all  the  churches  in  that  re- 
gion in  order,  with  officers  to  preside  over  them ; 
and  they  are  now  baptizing  daily.  *  *  *  * 

"  The  foundation  is  now  laid  in  such  a  man- 
ner in  this  country,  and  new  doors  opening  in 
England,  Scotland,  Ireland,  and  Wales,  so  that 
we  have  every  reason  to  expect  a  greater  in- 
crease for  three  months  to  come  than  has  been 
in  the  three  that  are  past." 

A  joint  letter  from  Elders  Kimball,  Wood- 
ruff, and  Smith,  London,  Aug.  20, 1840,  states, 
"  We  held  a  camp-meeting  at  the  Leigh,  Glou- 
cestershire, on  the  16th.  We  had  a  good  time 
with  the  saints  ;  baptized  fifteen,  and  ordained 
one  elder  and  two  priests." 

An  editorial  in  connection  with  the  above, 
says,  "  The  prospect  is  brightening  in  Manches- 
ter and  the  region  around.  More  than  twenty 
were  confirmed  at  the  Carpenter's  Hall  last 
sabbath,  and  ten  the  sabbath  previous.  The 
assembly  is  enlarging  daily." 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     193 

"  From  many  other  places  we  have  no  par- 
ticular and  direct  information,  but  so  far  as  we 
have,  the  work  is  prospering  more  and  more, 
and  the  spirit  of  inquiry  is  continually  gaining 
ground  among  the  people." 

W.  Woodruff,  in  a  letter  from  Manchester, 
dated  Oct.  8, 1840,  gives  the  following  particu- 
lars :  "  On  Saturday,  the  7th,  (of  some  previous 
month,)  I  spent  the  day  in  preparing  a  pool  for 
baptizing,  for  I  saw  there  was  much  to  be  done. 
On  Sunday,  the  8th,  I  preached  at  brother  Ben- 
bow's  before  a  large  congregation,  and  baptized 
seven  ;  four  were  preachers.  I  confirmed  thir- 
teen, and  broke  bread  unto  them.  * 
On  the  9th  I  preached  at  Stanley  Hill,  and 
baptized  seven;  two  were  preachers.  On  the 
10th  I  preached  again  at  brother  Benbow's, 
and  baptized  twelve  ;  three  were  preachers.  *  * 
The  report  of  these  things  flew  through  all 
parts  of  the  country  like  electricity,  and  the 
whole  country  was  stirred  up  to  inquire  into 
these  matters. 

"  The  Church  minister  of  Froom's  Hill,  or 
Bishop  Froom,  called  upon  the  constable  of 
that  parish  to  take  me  up ;  but  he  called  upon 
the  wrong  man,  for  as  soon  as  he  saw  me  he 
received  my  testimony,  and  I  baptized  him. 
Next,  one  of  the  Church  clerks  attended  one  of 
my  meetings,  to  see  what  I  was  doing,  and 
likewise  he  received  my  testimony,  and  when 
meeting  was  closed  said  he  would  soon  be  bap- 
tized. *  *  *  On  Sunday,  the  29th,  I  preached 
three  times  at  Froom's  Hill,  baptized  thirteen, 
13 


194    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

confirmed  thirty-five,  and  broke  bread  unto 
eighty  saints.  *  *  *  I  arose  next  morning, 
and  baptized  five  preachers  and  four  members. 
I  then  immediately  walked  to  the  town  of  Sed- 
bury,  distant  six  miles.  I  had  not  been  in  town 
an  hour  before  many  flocked  around  me,  to  see 
me,  and  give  me  the  hand  of  fellowship,  though 
strangers  unto  me.  The  Baptist  minister  opened 
his  chapel  for  me  to  preach  in,  and  went  into 
the  pulpit  with  me,  and  opened  the  meeting  by 
reading  the  35th  chapter  of  Isaiah,  and  praying 
mightily  for  me.  I  then  rose  and  preached  to 
a  large  and  attentive  audience,  and  when  I 
closed  thirteen  offered  themselves  for  baptism, 
notwithstanding  it  was  the  first  meeting  we  had 
held  in  the  town.  *  *  *  *  The  preachers 
of  whom  I  speak  were  mostly  United  Brethren, 
a  people  who  had  formerly  belonged  to  the  Pri- 
mitive Methodist  body,  but  had  separated  them- 
selves from  that  body,  and  chosen  the  former 
name.  ***** 

"By  this  time  doors  were  open  on  every 
hand,  many  more  than  I  could  possibly  fill,  and 
I  was  frequently  called  upon  to  go  to  pools 
three  or  four  times  in  a  day,  to  baptize  those 
who  received  my  testimony  and  believed  the 
gospel." 

G.  A.  Smith  writes  again  from  Burslem, 
29th  March,  1841,  "The  work  is  prospering  in 
this  country  steadily,  and  with  majesty  and 
power  truly  worthy  the  cause  of  truth.(!)  Hun- 
dreds are  embracing  the  gospel,  and  thousands 
are  rejoicing  in  the  truth." 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     195 

L.  Snow  writes  from  London,  April  14th, 
1841, — "Throughout  all  England,  in  almost 
every  town  and  city  of  any  considerable  im- 
portance, we  have  chapels  or  public  halls  in 
which  we  meet  for  public  worship.  All  over 
this  vast  kingdom  the  laws  of  Zion  are  rolling 
onward  with  the  most  astonishing  rapidity. 
Though  we  expect  tremendous  persecutions, 
yet  we  are  confident  they  will  not  for  a  mo- 
ment stay  the  onward  progress  and  the  roll- 
ing forth  of  Zion's  glorious  kingdom  (Mormon- 
ism  !)  throughout,  not  only  the  British  empire, 
but  the  universal  world." 

Every  one  knows  that  rumour  increases  as 
it  flies.  Hence,  it  is  not  wonderful  that  the 
strange  tales  by  which  Mormonism  was  set 
afloat  in  this  country  should  become  sufficiently 
expanded  in  crossing  the  Atlantic  to  make  a 
greater  impression  in  England  upon  the  proper 
subjects,  than  it  ever  effected  here.  Moreover, 
its  apostles,  having  the  advantage  of  their  pre- 
vious experience,  set  themselves  to  work  in 
systematic  efforts  to  accomplish  as  much  as 
possible  in  a  short  time.  Addressing  them- 
selves to  the  ignorant  and  the  impoverished, 
with  predictions  of  impending  calamities,  and 
with  extravagant  accounts  of  their  promised 
land,  they  were  enabled  to  secure  followers  in 
great  numbers,  while  among  the  fanatical  and 
disaffected  members  and  ex-members  of  various 
religious  bodies  they  doubtless  found  enough 
anxious  to  wear  the  high-sounding  titles  they 
conferred  with  so  little  ceremony,  and  to  wield 


196 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 


the  influence  of  elders,  high  priests,  and  patri- 
archs. Availing  themselves  of  the  agency  of 
the  press,  they  published  a  fine  edition  of  the 
Book  of  Mormon,  a  hymn-book,  and  various 
pamphlets,  besides  a  periodical,  established  at 
Manchester,  called  the  Millennial  Star.  That 
paper  of  April,  1841,  gives  the  following  as  an 
official  report  of  the  number  of  Mormons  in 
Great  Britain.  The  officers  enumerated  are 
elders,  priests,  teachers,  and  deacons. 


Memb. 

Offic.                          Memb. 

Offic. 

Manchester, 

443 

30 

Carlisle, 

43 

1 

Clitheroe  Conference, 

318 

34 

Bolton, 

189 

21 

Preston, 

675 

42 

Dunkinfield, 

120 

11 

Liverpool, 

190 

24 

Stockport, 

161 

10 

Isle  of  Man, 

90 

8 

Norwich, 

112 

20 

London, 

137 

17 

Oldham, 

86 

8 

Birmingham, 

110 

22 

Eccles, 

24 

5 

Staffordshire, 

574 

112 

Pendlebury, 

62 

4 

Garway, 

134 

16 

Whitefield, 

41 

6 

Gadfield, 

408 

53 

Radcliffe  Bridge 

,  18 

4 

Froom's  Hill,              1 

,008 

129 

Wales, 

170 

13 

Newcastle-upon- 

Ireland, 

35 

3 

Tyne, 

23 

5 

Glasgow,   Pais- 

Alston, 

26 

2 

ley,  &c. 

368 

51 

Brampton, 

46 

1 

Edinburgh, 

203 

33 

Total,  5,814  members,  675  officers.  In  all 
making  6,489. 

Those  who  had  previously  emigrated  to  Ame- 
rica are  said  not  to  have  been  included  in  this 
representation. 

Lest  any  should  fall  into  the  mistake  of  sup- 
posing the  Mormon  mission  to  England  to  have 
been  purely  of  a  religious  character,  we  here 
quote  some  instructions  from  a  letter  of  Joseph 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    197 

Smith,  addressed  "  to  the  travelling  high  coun- 
cil and  elders  of  the  church  of  Jesus  Christ,  of 
Latter-day  Saints  in  Great  Britain." 

"  Being  requested  to  give  my  advice  respect- 
ing the  propriety  of  your  returning  in  the  spring, 
I  will  do  so  willingly.  I  have  reflected  upon 
the  subject  some  time,  and  am  of  the  opinion 
that  it  would  be  wisdom  in  you  to  make  prepa- 
rations to  leave  the  scene  of  your  labours  in 
the  spring.  Having  carried  the  testimony  to 
that  land,  and  numbers  having  received  it,  con- 
sequently the  leaven  can  now  spread  without 
your  being  obliged  to  stay ;  another  thing,  there 
has  been  some  whisperings  of  the  spirit  that 
there  will  be  some  agitations,  some  excitements 
and  some  trouble  in  the  land  in  which  you  are 
now  labouring.  I  would  therefore  say  in  the  mean 
time,  Be  diligent,  organize  .the  churches,  and 
let  every  one  stand  in  his  proper  place,  so  that 
those  who  cannot  come  with  you  in  the  spring, 
may  not  be  left  as  sheep  without  a  shepherd. 

"  I  would  likewise  observe,  that  inasmuch  as 
this  place  has  been  appointed  for  the  gathering 
of  the  saints,  it  is  necessary  that  it  should  be 
attended  to  in  the  order  that  the  Lord  intends 
it  should  :  to  this  end  I  would  say,  that  as  there 
are  great  numbers  of  the  saints  in  England  who 
are  extremely  poor,  and  not  accustomed  to  the 
farming  business,  who  must  have  certain  pre- 
parations made  for  them  before  they  can  sup- 
port themselves  in  this  country,  therefore,  to 
prevent  confusion  and  disappointment  when 
they  arrive  here,  let  those  men  who  are  accus- 


198     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

tomed  to  making  machinery,  and  those  who 
can  command  a  capital,  though  it  be  small, 
come  here  as  soon  as  convenient,  and  put  up 
machinery  and  make  such  other  preparations 
as  may  be  necessary,  so  that  when  the  poor 
come  on  they  may  have  employment  to  corne 
to.  This  place  has  advantages  for  manufac- 
turing and  commercial  purposes,  which  but 
very  few  can  boast  of;  and  by  establishing  cot- 
ton factories,  founderies,  potteries,  &c.,  &c., 
would  be  the  means  of  bringing  in  wealth  arid 
raising  it  to  a  very  important  elevation." 

In  compliance  with  the  above  directions,  the 
twelve  have  now  returned  to  Nauvoo  to  assist 
in  building  up  Zion,  with  the  exception  of  O. 
Hyde,  the  missionary  to  Palestine,  and  P.  P. 
Pratt,  who  remains  to  edit  the  Millennial  Star, 
and  to  superintend  the  general  interests  of 
Mormonism  in  England.  This  Mr.  Pratt,  who 
has  distinguished  himself  as  the  greatest  author 
among  the  Mormons,  appears  to  have  gotten 
the  start  of  Smith  in  his  attentions  to  royalty, 
having  already  addressed  a  letter  "  to  her 
Gracious  Majesty  Queen  Victoria,  Sovereign 
of  Britain ;  touching  the  signs  of  the  times,  and 
the  political  destiny  of  the  world." 

From  that  document  we  learn  that  copies  of 
the  Book  of  Mormon  have  been  presented  to 
her  majesty,  and  to  his  royal  highness  Prince 
Albert.  Can  the  English  any  longer  presume 
to  reproach  America  as  having  given  to  the 
world  no  remarkable  literary  productions  ? 
Should  they  persist  in  such  unkindness  here- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    199 

after,  the  truth  will  be  evident  that  they  them- 
selves are  deficient,  either  in  the  taste  or  the 
acumen  necessary  to  appreciate  the  superior 
excellence  of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  and  of  Mr. 
Pratt's  poetry.  An  approved  specimen  of  the 
latter  we  copy  from  the  Latter-day  Saints' 
hymns,  as  compiled  and  arranged  by  Emma 
Smith.  Hymn  number  236  was  written  as 
Mr.  Pratt's  Farewell  to  the  City  of  New-York, 
in  1838. 

"  Adieu  to  the  city,  where  long  I  have  wandered, 

To  tell  them  [whom7?]  of  judgments,  and  warn  them 

to  flee  ; 

How  often  in  sorrow  their  woes  I  have  pondered, 
Perhaps  in  affliction  they'll  think  upon  me. 

With  a  tear  of  compassion,  in  silence  retiring, 
The  last  ray  of  hope  for  your  safety  expiring ; 

A  feeling  of  pity  this  bosom  inspiring — 
Sing  this  lamentation  and  think  upon  me. 


When  the  Union  is  severed,  and  liberty's  blessings 
Withheld  from  the  sons  of  Columbia  once  free  ; 

When  bloodshed  and  war,  and  famine  distress  them, 
Remember  the  warning  and  think  upon  me. 

When  this  mighty  city  shall  crumble  to  ruin, 
And  sink  as  a  millstone,  the  merchants  undoing, 

The  ransomed  the  highway  of  Zion  pursuing, 
Sing  this  lamentation,  and  think  upon  me." 

As  the  nature  of  our  undertaking  does  not 
permit  us  to  inquire  extensively  into  the  litera- 
ture of  Mormonism,  we  proceed  to  exhibit  the 


200    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

instructions  under  which  the  English  saints 
act  in  the  enterprise  of  emigration. 

The  following  paragraphs  are  taken  from 
"  An  Epistle  of  the  Twelve  to  the  Church  of 
Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints  in  England, 
Scotland,  Ireland,  Wales,  and  the  Isle  of  Man, 
greeting : 

"It  will  be  necessary  in  the  first  place  for 
men  of  capital  to  go  on  first  and  make  large 
purchases  of  land,  and  erect  mills,  machinery, 
manufactories,  &c.,  so  that  the  poor  who  go  from 
this  country  may  find  employment.  Therefore 
it  is  not  wisdom  for  the  poor  to  flock  to  that 
place  extensively,  until  the  necessary  prepara- 
tions are  made.  Neither  is  it  wisdom  for  those 
who  feel  a  spirit  of  benevolence  to  expend  all 
their  means  in  helping  others  to  emigrate,  arid 
thus  arrive  in  a  new  country  empty  handed. 
In  all  settlements  there  must  be  capital  and 
labour  united  in  order  to  flourish.  The  brethren 
will  recollect  that  they  are  not  going  to  enter 
upon  cities  already  built  up,  but  are  going  to 
4  build  cities  and  inhabit  them.'  Building  cities 
cannot  be  done  without  means  and  labour. 

*****  "  Sovereigns  are  more  profitable 
than  silver,  or  any  other  money,  in  emigrating 
to  America  ;  and  the  brethren  are  also  cautioned 
against  the  American  money  when  they  arrive 
in  that  country.  Let  them  not  venture  to  take 
paper  money  of  that  country  until  they  become 
well  informed  in  regard  to  the  different  banks. 

44  It  is  much  cheaper  going  by  New-Orleans 
than  by  New-York.  But  it  will  never  do  for 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     201 

emigrants  to  go  by  New-Orleans  in  the  summer, 
on  account  of  the  heat  and  sickness  of  the 
climate.  It  is  therefore  advisable  for  the  saints 
to  emigrate  in  autumn,  winter,  or  spring." 

What  kind  of  motives  have  operated  in  pro- 
ducing the  present  rush  of  Latter-day  Saints 
from  England,  as  well  as  their  original  espousal 
of  the  cause,  may  be  inferred  from  an  appeal 
on  the  subject  lately  put  forth  at  Nauvoo. 

"  The  happiness  and  enjoyments  of  the  saints 
greatly  depend  upon  the  motives  which  predo- 
minate in  their  minds  when  they  remove  here. 
We  have  seen  so  many,  who  have  been  disap- 
pointed, and  discouraged  when  they  have  visited 
this  place,  that  we  would  have  imagined  they 
had  never  been  instructed  in  the  things  per- 
taining to  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  thought, 
that  instead  of  coming  into  a  society  of  men 
and  women,  subject  to  all  the  frailties  of  mor- 
tality, they  were  about  to  enjoy  the  society  of 
the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect,  the  holy 
angels,  and  that  this  place  should  be  as  pure  as 
the  third  heavens.  Here,  they  expected  no 
jarring  string,  but  uninterrupted  harmony;  no 
discord  and  confusion,  but  all  order  and  beauty; 
no  sickness  or  death,  but  eternal  youth  beam- 
ing on  every  countenance.  But  when  they 
found  that  this  people  were  but  flesh  and  blood, 
subject  to  like  passions  with  themselves,  many 
in  poverty  and  distress,  then  their  hearts  have 
sunk  within  them,  their  confidence  has  depart- 
ed, their  courage  has  forsook  them,  their  reli- 
gion followed  in  the  train,  and  they  have  re- 


202    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

fleeted  on  themselves  for  ever  taking  the  first 
step  toward  the  place;  and,  like  the  children 
of  Israel,  at  the  time  when  the  ten  spies  re- 
turned from  the  land  of  Canaan,  they  have  been 
desirous  to  choose  them  a  captain  to  lead  them 
back.  We  cannot  imagine  how  such  wonder- 
ful ideas  ever  should  take  possession,  or  be  en- 
tertained by  any  one  conversant  with  the  Bible. 

"  In  conclusion,  we  would  press  upon  our 
friends,  who  may  feel  disappointed  in  not  find- 
ing the  saints  angels,  to  first  cast  the  beam  out 
of  their  own  eye,  and  then  they  will  see  clearly 
to  pluck  the  mote  out  of  their  brother's  eye." 

Notwithstanding  the  difficulties  that  must 
sooner  or  later  grow  out  of  the  state  of  feeling 
indicated  by  the  above  language,  yet  as  a  result 
of  the  late  general  conference  held  at  Nauvoo, 
more  strenuous  efforts  than  ever  are  now  being 
made  "  to  push  the  saints  together"  from  far 
and  near.  The  twelve  are  made  to  act  as  a 
general  agency  for  the  gathering,  and  they  ad- 
dress the  Mormons  "  scattered  abroad  on  the 
continent  of  America,"  as  follows  : — 

"  BELOVED  BRETHREN, — It  seemeth  good  to 
us  to  write  unto  you  at  this  time  concerning  the 
great  things  of  the  kingdom  of  our  God,  and 
more  especially  as  we  have  been  called  upon 
by  the  late  general  conference  so  to  do  ;  that 
the  work  may  not  be  hindered,  but  that  all  may 
understand  their  privilege  and  duty  in  this  day 
of  glorious  events,  so  that  by  exercising  them- 
selves therein,  they  may  attain  unto  those  bless- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     203 

ings  which  God  has  in  store  for  his  people  in 
the  last  days, 

"  We  have  abundant  occasion,  and  we  rejoice 
exceedingly  at  the  privilege  we  have  had  of  be- 
holding so  many  thousands  of  our  brethren  and 
sisters  as  were  assembled  at  the  late  conference, 
and  for  the  most  perfect  harmony  and  good  feel- 
ing which  prevailed  throughout  all  their  delibe- 
rations ;  for  the  great  amount  of  valuable  in- 
structions by  President  Joseph  Smith  and  others; 
and  for  the  disposition  which  we  have  seen 
manifested  by  all  who  were  present,  to  carry 
into  effect  all  those  noble  plans  and  principles 
which  were  derived  from  heaven,  and  have 
been  handed  down  to  earth,  to  carry  forward 
the  great  and  glorious  work  which  is  already 
commenced,  and  which  must  be  consummated 
to  secure  the  salvation  of  Israel. 

"  In  this  city  the  church  has  succeeded  in  secu- 
ring several  extensive  plats  of  land,  which  have 
been  laid  out  in  city  lots;  a  part  of  which  have 
been  sold,  a  part  has  been  distributed  to  the  wi- 
dow and  the  orphan,  and  apart  remains  for  sale. 
These  lots  are  for  the  inheritance  of  the  saints, 
a  resting  place  for  the  church,  a  habitation  for 
the  God  of  Jacob ;  for  here  he  has  commanded 
a  house  to  be  built  unto  his  name,  where  he 
may  manifest  himself  unto  his  people  as  in 
former  times,  when  he  caused  the  ark,  the  ta- 
bernacle, and  the  temple  to  be  reared,  and  the 
cloud  and  the  fire  to  rest  down  thereon  ;  and 
not  that  the  temple  be  built  only,  but  that  it  be 
completed  quickly,  and  that  no  more  general 


204    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

conference  be  held  till  it  shall  be  held  therein  ; 
and  that  the  Nauvoo  House  be  finished  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  brethren  from  afar,  and 
the  stranger  who  shall  come  up  hither  to  in- 
quire after  the  work  of  the  Lord  and  worship  in 
his  temple. 

"Scores  of  brethren  in  this  city  have  offered 
to  board  one  and  two  labourers  each  till  the 
temple  is  completed;  many  have  volunteered 
to  labour  continually,  and  the  brethren  generally 
are  giving  one-tenth  part  of  their  time,  or  one- 
tenth  part  of  their  income,  according  to  circum- 
stances ;  while  those  sisters,  who  can  do  no- 
thing more,  are  knitting  socks  and  mittens,  and 
preparing  garments  for  the  labourers,  so  that 
they  may  be  made  as  comfortable  as  possible 
during  the  coming  winter.  In  view  of  these 
things,  we  would  invite  our  brethren  for  many 
miles  distant  around  us,  to  send  in  their  teams 
for  drawing  stone,  lumber,  and  materials  for  the 
buildings  ;  and  at  the  same  time  load  their  wa- 
gons with  all  kinds  of  grain  and  meat,  provi- 
sions and  clothing,  and  hay  and  provender  in 
abundance,  that  the  labourer  faint  not,  and  the 
teams  be  made  strong;  also  that  journeymen 
stone  cutters,  &c.,  come,  bringing  their  tools 
with  them,  and  enlist  in  the  glorious  enter- 
prise. 

"  Brethren,  the  blessings  of  the  kingdom  are 
for  you,  for  the  body  of  Christ,  for  all  the  mem- 
bers, and  God  will  help  those  who  will  help 
themselves,  and  bless  those  who  will  bless  each 
other,  and  do  as  they  would  be  done  unto.  The 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     205 

gold  and  the  silver  is  the  Lord's  ;  all  the  trea- 
sures of  the  earth,  the  flocks  and  the  herds  of 
the  fields,  and  the  cattle  of  the  thousand  hills, 
are  his  ;  if  he  were  hungry,  would  he  crave  thy 
food  ?  or  thirsty,  would  he  ask  thy  drink  ?  Nay, 
he  would  only  ask  that  which  was  his  own,  he 
would  feast  on  his  own  flocks,  and  quench  his 
thirst  at  his  own  springs.  This  God  is  the  God 
of  the  saints  ;  he  is  your  God,  and  he  has  made 
you  stewards  of  all  that  has  been  committed  to 
you,  and  will  require  his  own  with  usury ;  and 
will  you  not  be  faithful  in  a  little,  that  you  may 
be  made  rulers  over  many  cities  ?  Yes,  you 
will,  we  know  you  will. 

"  Is  it  possible  that  we  labour  in  vain,  and 
toil  for  naught,  and  that  we  shall  be  disappoint- 
ed at  the  last  ?  No,  we  know  assuredly  that 
the  set  time  to  favour  Zion  has  come,  and  her 
sons  and  daughters  shall  rejoice  in  her  glory. 
The  time  has  come  when  the  great  Jehovah 
would  have  a  resting  place  on  earth,  a  habita- 
tion for  his  chosen,  where  his  law  shall  be  re- 
vealed, and  his  servants  be  endued  from  on  high, 
to  bring  together  the  honest  in  heart  from  the 
four  winds  ;  where  the  saints  may  enter  the 
baptismal  font  for  their  dead  relations,  so  that 
they  may  be  judged  according  to  men  in  the 
flesh,  and  live  according  to  God  in  the  spirit, 
and  come  forth  in  the  celestial  kingdom — a 
place  over  which  the  heavenly  messengers  may 
watch  and  trouble  the  waters  as  in  days  of  old, 
so  that  when  the  sick  are  put  therein,  they  shall 
be  made  whole — a  place  where  all  the  ordi- 


206     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

nances  shall  be  made  manifest,  and  the  saints 
shall  unite  in  the  songs  of  Zion,  even  praise, 
thanksgiving,  and  hallelujahs  to  God  and  the 
Lamb,  that  he  has  wrought  out  their  deliver- 
ance, and  bound  Satan  fast  in  chains. 

"  What  then  shall  we  do  ?  Let  us  all  arise, 
and  with  one  united  and  mighty  exertion,  by 
the  strength  of  Israel's  God,  oppose  the  powers 
of  darkness,  and  every  being  and  principle  that 
may  rise  up  against  us,  and  complete  the  work 
already  commenced.  Let  us  not,  for  a  moment, 
lend  an  ear  to  evil  and  designing  men  who 
would  subvert  the  truth,  and  blacken  the  cha- 
racter of  the  servant  of  the  most  high  God,  by 
publishing  abroad  that  the  prophet  is  enriching 
himself  on  the  spoils  of  the  brethren. 

"  Brethren,  in  view  of  all  these  things,  let 
us  be  up  and  doing.  Let  those  in  the  eastern 
states  use  all  diligence  in  communicating  to  us 
their  ability  to  assist  in  the  Hotchkiss  payment, 
being  assured  that  no  exertion  they  can  make 
will  equal  what  has  already  been  made  for 
them,  and  the  church  generally  ;  and  let  all  the 
saints  come  up  to  the  places  of  gathering,  and 
with  their  mites  and  their  abundance,  as  God 
has  given  them  in  trust,  help  to  build  up  the  old 
waste  places,  which  have  been  thrown  down 
for  many  generations,  knowing,  that  when  they 
are  completed,  they  will  belong  unto  the  people 
of  the  most  high  God,  even  the  meek,  the  hon- 
est in  heart ;  he  shall  possess  all  things  in  the 
due  time  of  the  Lord.  Be  not  covetous,  but 
deal  in  righteousness,  for  what  the  saints  shall 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     207 

not  possess  by  purchase  and  in  righteousness 
they  shall  not  possess  ;  for  no  unrighteous  thing 
can  enter  into  the  kingdom  :  therefore,  beloved 
brethren,  deal  justly,  love  mercy,  walk  humbly 
before  God,  and  whatever  your  hands  find  to 
do,  do  it  with  your  might,  keeping  all  the  com- 
mandments ;  and  then,  whether  in  life  or  in 
death,  all  things  will  be  yours,  whether  they  be 
temples  or  lands,  houses  or  vineyards,  baptisms 
or  enduements,  revelations  or  healings,  all  things 
will  be  yours,  for  you  will  be  Christ's,  and  Christ 
is  God's. 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG,  JOHN  TAYLOR, 

HEBER  C.  KIMBALL,  WILFORD  WOODRUFF, 

ORSON   PRATT,  GEO.  A0SMITH, 

LYMAN  WIGHT,  WILLARD  RICHARDS. 

Nauvoo,  Oct.  12,  1841." 

A  similar,  and  perhaps  still  more  interesting 
document  has  been  in  like  manner  addressed  to 
the  Mormons  beyond  seas.  We  copy  the  more 
important  parts. 

"  An  Epistle  of  the  Twelve,  to  the  Saints  scattered 
abroad  in  England,  Scotland,  Ireland,  Wales, 
the  Isle  of  Man,  and  the  Eastern  Continent, 
greeting  : 

"  Beloved  Brethren, — We  rejoice  and  thank 
our  heavenly  Father  daily  in  your  behalf,  that 
we  hear  of  your  faithfulness  and  diligence  in 
the  great  work  unto  which  you  have  been  call- 
ed by  the  Holy  Spirit,  through  the  voice  of  the 
servants  of  the  Most  High,  who  have  been  and 
are  now  among  you,  for  the  purpose  of  instruct- 


208    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

ing  you  in  those  principles  which  are  calcu- 
lated to  prepare  the  children  of  men  for  the 
renovation  of  the  earth,  and  the  restitution  of 
all  things  spoken  by  the  prophets. 

"  In  our  travels  in  this  land  we  have  disco- 
vered a  growing  interest  among  the  people 
generally,  in  the  great  work  of  the  Lord.  Pre- 
judice is  giving  place  to  intelligence  ;  darkness 
to  light ;  and  multitudes  are  making  the  import- 
ant discovery  that  error  is  abroad  in  the  earth, 
and  that  the  signs  of  the  times  proclaim  some 
mighty  revolution  among  the  nations.  The  cry 
is  from  all  quarters,  Send  us  elders  to  instruct 
us  in  the  principles  of  your  religion,  that  we 
may  know  wily  it  is  that  you  are  had  in  deri- 
sion by  the  multitude,  more  than  other  profes- 
sors are.  Teach  us  of  your  principles  and 
your  doctrines,  and  if  we  find  them  true  we  will 
embrace  them. 

"  The  saints  are  growing  in  faith,  and  the 
intelligence  of  heaven  is  flowing  into  their  un- 
derstanding, for  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  with 
them,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  is  instructing  them 
in  things  to  come.  The  spirit  of  union  is  in- 
creasing, and  they  are  exerting  themselves  to 
come  up  to  the  gathering  of  the  faithful,  to 
build  up  the  waste  places,  and  establish  the 
stakes  of  Zion. 

"  Since  our  arrival  in  this  place  there  has 
been  one  special  and  one  general  conference  of 
the  church,  and  the  twelve  have  been  called  to 
tarry  at  home  for  a  season,  and  stand  in  their 
lot,  next  to  the  first  presidency,  and  assist  in 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    209 

counselling  the  brethren,  and  in  the  settling  of 
,  emigrants,  &c. ;  and  the  first  great,  object  before 
us,  and  the  saints  generally,  is  to  help  forward 
the  completion  of  the  temple,  and  the  Nauvoo 
house  ;  buildings  which  are  now  in  progress, 
according  to  the  revelations,  and  which  must 
be  completed  to  secure  the  salvation  of  the 
church  in  the  last  days,  for  God  requires  of  his 
saints  to  build  him  a  house,  wherein  his  ser- 
vants maybe  instructed,  and  endued  with  power 
from  on  high,  to  prepare  them  to  go  forth  among 
the  nations,  and  proclaim  the  fulness  of  the 
gospel  for  the  last  time,  and  bind  up  the  law, 
and  seal  up  the  testimony,  leaving  this  genera- 
tion without  excuse,  and  the  earth  prepared  for 
the  judgments  which  will  follow.  In  this  house 
all  the  ordinances  will  be  made  manifest,  and 
many  things  will  be  shown  forth,  which  have 
been  hid  from  generation  to  generation. 

"  The  set  time  to  favour  the  stakes  of  Zion 
is  at  hand,  and  soon  the  kings  and  the  queens, 
the  princes  and  the  nobles,  the  rich  and  the 
honourable  of  the  earth,  will  come  up  hither  to 
visit  the  temple  of  our  God,  and  to  inquire  con- 
cerning his  strange  work  ;  and  as  kings  are  to 
become  nursing  fathers,  and  queens  nursing 
mothers  in  the  habitations  of  the  righteous,  it  is 
right  to  render  honour  to  whom  honour  is  due  ; 
and  therefore  expedient  that  such,  as  well  as 
the  saints,  should  have  a  comfortable  house  for 
boarding  and  lodging  when  they  come  hither, 
and  it  is  according  to  the  revelations  that  such 
a  house  should  be  built. 
14 


210    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

"  The  foundation  of  this  house,  and  also  of 
the  temple,  are  laid,  and  the  walls  of  the  base- 
ment stories  of  each  nearly  completed  ;  and  the 
finishing  of  the  whole  is  depending  on  the  ex- 
ertions of  the  saints.  Every  saint  on  earth  is 
equally  interested  in  these  things,  and  all  are 
under  equal  obligations  to  do  all  in  their  power 
to  complete  the  buildings  by  their  faith  and  by 
their  prayers  ;  with  their  thousands  and  their 
mites,  their  gold  and  their  silver,  their  copper 
and  their  zinc,  their  goods  and  their  labours, 
until  the  top-stone  is  laid  with  shoutings,  and 
the  place  is  prepared  to  be  rilled  with  the  glory 
of  the  Highest :  and  if  there  are  those  among 
you  who  have  more  than  they  need  for  the  ga- 
thering, and  for  assisting  the  destitute,  who 
desire  to  gather  with  them,  they  cannot  make  a 
more  acceptable  offering  unto  the  Lord,  than  by 
appropriating  toward  the  building  of  his  temple. 

"  He  that  believeth  shall  not  make  haste,  but 
let  all  the  saints  who  desire  to  keep  the  com- 
mandments of  heaven,  and  work  righteousness, 
come  to  the  place  of  gathering  as  soon  as  cir- 
cumstances will  permit.  It  is  by  united  efforts 
that  great  things  are  accomplished ;  and  while 
the  saints  are  scattered  to  the  four  winds,  they 
cannot  be  united  in  action,  if  they  are  in  spirit ; 
they  cannot  all  build  at  one  city,  or  lift  at  one 
stone  of  the  great  temple,  though  their  hearts 
may  all  desire  the  same  thing.  We  would  not 
press  the  subject  of  the  gathering  upon  you,  for 
we  know  your  hearts  and  your  means  ;'and  so 
far  as  means  fail,  let  patience  have  its  perfect 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    211 

work  in  your  souls,  for  in  due  time  you  shall 
be  delivered  if  you  faint  not, 

"  When  you  arrive  on  our  shores,  and  while 
sailing  up  our  rivers,  you  need  not  be  surprised 
if  your  ears  are  saluted  by  the  false  and  filthy 
language  of  wicked  and  designing  men,  who 
are  ever  ready  to  speak  evil  of  the  things  they 
understand  not,  and  who  would  gladly  blast  the 
character  of  the  prophet  of  the  most  high  God, 
and  all  connected  with  him,  with  their  foul 
anathemas,  beyond  any  thing  which  you  have 
ever  thought  of.  We  would  not  dishearten  you, 
neither  would  we  have  you  ignorant  of  the 
worst  that  awaits  the  righteous. 

"  If  the  saints  are  not  prepared  to  rejoice  and 
be  glad,  when  they  hear  the  name  of  the  pro- 
phet, and  their  own  name  cast  out  as  evil,  as 
gluttonous,  wine-bibber,  friend  of  publicans  and 
sinners,  Beelzebub,  thief,  robber,  and  murderer, 
they  are  not  prepared  for  the  gathering.  The 
wheat  and  tares  must  grow  together  till  the  har- 
vest ;  at  the  harvest  the  wheat  is  gathered  toge- 
ther into  the  threshing-floor  ;  so  with  the  saints. 
The  stakes  are  the  threshing-floor.  Here  they 
will  be  threshed  with  all  sorts  of  difficulties, 
trials,  afflictions,  and  every  thing  to  mar  their 
peace  which  they  can  imagine,  and  thousands 
which  they  cannot  imagine  ;  but  he  that  endures 
threshing  till  all  the  chafT,  superstition,  folly, 
and  unbelief  is  pounded  out  of  him,  and  does 
not  suffer  himself  to  be  blown  away  as  chaff  by 
the  foul  tongue  of  slander,  but  endures  faithful 
to  the  end,  shall  be  saved. 


212    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

"  If  you  are  prepared  for  all  these  things  ;  if 
you  choose  rather  to  suffer  afflictions  with  the 
people  of  God,  than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin 
for  a  little  moment,  come  up  hither  ;  come  direct 
to  New-Orleans,  and  up  the  Mississippi  river, 
for  the  expense  is  so  much  less,  and  the  con- 
venience of  water  navigation  is  so  much  greater 
than  it  is  by  Montreal,  New-York,  or  Philadel- 
phia, that  it  is  wisdom  for  the  saints  to  make 
New-Orleans  their  general  established  port,  and 
be  sure  to  start  at  such  times  that  they  may  ar- 
rive here  during  the  cold  months,  for  the  change 
from  the  cold  climate  of  England  to  this  place, 
in  the  hot  season,  is  too  great  for  the  health  of 
emigrants,  till  there  is  more  faith  in  the  church. 

"  So  far  as  the  brethren  have  the  means,  they 
will  do  well  to  come  prepared  with  a  variety 
of  mechanic  tools,  according  to  their  profes- 
sions ;  such  as  carpenters,  joiners,  cabinet- 
makers, hatters,  coopers,  masons,  printers, 
binders,  tanners,  curriers,  &c.,  and  all  sorts  of 
manufactory  and  foundery  implements,  [conve- 
nient for  transportation^]  so  that  when  they  ar- 
rive, they  may  be  prepared  to  establish  them- 
selves in  business,  and  give  employment  to 
spinners,  weavers,  moulders,  smelters,  and 
journeymen  of  every  description  ;  for  all  sorts 
of  woollens,  cottons,  hardware,  &c.,  will  find  a 
ready  market  in  new  countries  ;  and  a  great 
field  is  now  open  to  the  capitalists  in  this  vici- 
nity, even  though  the  capital  be  small,  and  we 
would  urge  the  importance  of  the  immediate 
establishment  of  all  kinds  of  manufactories 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    213 

among  us,  as  well  for  the  best  interests  of  the 
individuals  concerned,  as  for  the  church  gene- 
rally. 

"  Cities  cannot  be  built  without  houses, 
houses  cannot  be  built  without  materials,  or 
occupied  without  inhabitants  ;  the  inhabitants 
cannot  exist  without  food  and  clothing ;  food 
and  clothing  cannot  be  had  without  planting, 
sewing,  and  manufacturing,  so  that  Zion  and 
her  stores  cannot  be  built  without  means,  with- 
out industry,  without  manufacturing  establish- 
ments, unless  the  windows  of  heaven  were 
opened,  and  cities  and  their  appendages  were 
rained  down  among  us.  But  this  we  do  not 
expect  till  the  New-Jerusalem  descends,  and 
that  will  be  some  time  hence  ;  therefore  it  is 
necessary,  and  according  to  godliness  and  the 
plan  of  salvation  in  these  last  days,  that  the 
brethren  should  see  to  all  these  things,  and 
clothe  and  adorn  themselves  with  the  labour  of 
their  own  hands,  build  houses  and  inhabit  them, 
plant  vineyards  and  eat  the  fruit  thereof. 

"  Brethren,  pray  for  us,  and  the  first  presi- 
dency, the  LEADER  of  the  people,  [a  new  title,] 
even  JOSEPH,  that  his  life  and  health  may  be 
precious  in  the  sight  of  heaven,  till  he  has  fin- 
ished the  work  which  he  has  commenced  ;  and 
for  all  the  elders  of  Israel,  that  every  man  may 
be  faithful  in  his  calling,  the  whole  household 
of  faith,  and  all  subjects  of  prayer. 

"  Brethren,  farewell.  May  the  blessings  of 
heaven  and  earth  be  multiplied  unto  you,  in 
spirit  and  in  body,  in  basket  and  in  store,  in  the 


214    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

field  and  in  the  shop,  on  the  land  and  on  the 
sea,  in  the  house  and  by  the  way,  and  in  all 
situations  and  circumstances,  until  you  shall 
stand  on  Mount  Zion,  and  enter  the  celestial  city, 
[Nauvoo,]  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 

"Nov.  15,  1841." 

The  above  extracts  will  enable  any  reflect- 
ing mind  to  comprehend  the  present  movements 
and  policy  of  the  Mormons.  Every  exertion  is 
being  made  to  concentrate  their  entire  influence 
at  Nauvoo.  They  appear  to  make  the  Jewish 
economy  their  model  in  several  particulars. 
Thus  they  have  their  promised  land,  their 
priests,  and  their  temple.  The  latter,  it  is  said, 
will  be  in  imitation  of  the  temple  of  Solomon. 
Such  a  policy  has,  unquestionably,  peculiar  ad- 
vantages for  them. 

1.  It  enables  them  to  make  a  greater  impres- 
sion in  a  given  region,  than  the  same  number 
of  persons  could  effect  when  scattered  abroad. 

2.  It  qualifies  the  travelling  quorum  to  make 
out  a  stronger  case  about  the  gathering,  and  the 
fulness  of  the  times,  when  they  go  abroad  to 
rally  recruits. 

3.  The  probability  that  their  converts  will 
again  go  back  to  their  proper  reason  is  less, 
when  they  become  surrounded  by  the  strength 
of  their  community,  and  where  Mormonism,  of 
course,  is  popular. 

4.  When  once  the  saints  get  under  way  for 
Nauvoo,  they  are  fairly  committed.     A  retreat 
is  no  easy  matter.     Yet  some  have  hastened 
back  to  England  while  their  money  lasted. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    215 

5.  When  settled  on  the  promised  land,  they 
are  then  fairly  under  the  command  of  Lieute- 
nant General  Joseph  Smith,  and  can  be  made 
to  build  a  temple  to  his  honour,  or  a  palace  for 
his  comfort,  far  easier  than  if  they  were  scat- 
tered abroad. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Theology  of  Mormonism — Derivation — Affinity  to 
Campbellism — Improvements  upon  the  old  system — Mi- 
racles— Tongues — Conflicting  medley  of  doctrines — Du- 
plicity of  the  advocates  of  Mormonism — Honesty  of  many 
of  its  followers — Real  and  distinguishing  tenets — Eternity 
of  matter — Materiality  of  God — Baptism  for  the  dead — 
Interdiction  of  the  same — Desecrations  of  the  sabbath. 

IN  order  to  understand  the  theological  cha- 
racter of  Mormonism,  the  reader  needs  to  recol- 
lect that  Rigdorr,  and  several  of  his  associates, 
had  been  followers  of  Alexander  Campbell. 
They  had  been  thoroughly  drilled  as  coadjutors 
to  that  self-styled  reformer.  Immersion  for 
the  remission  of  sins  had  been  their  favourite 
theme,  nor  did  it  cease  to  be  so  when  they  em- 
braced the  cause  of  Mormonism.  The  Camp- 
bellite  preachers  had  been  famous  for  their  rant 
and  declamation  against  all  creeds  and  sects. 
Yet  they  were  going  about  to  establish  a  new 
sect,  while,  to  vindicate  THEIR  CREED,  they 
published  a  new  translation  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment. From  the  success,  and  the  temporary 
popularity  of  Campbellism,  the  Mormons  man- 


216    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

ifestly  took  their  cue  ;  but  they  have  distanced 
their  forerunners.  Not  stopping  with  new 
translations,  they  published  to  the  world  new 
revelations.  As  though  the  inconsistency  of 
establishing  a  new  sect  was  not  sufficient,  they 
attempted  to  "  found  a  new  religion,"  still  keep- 
ing up  the  clamour  about  the  sectarianism  of 
all  but  themselves. 

Various  passages  in  the  Book  of  Mormon 
show  the  writer  to  have  been  a  Campbellite  in 
his  views.  E.  g.,  p.  451,  "  Eight  thousand  of 
the  Lamanites  were  baptized  unto  repentance." 
Page  514,  "  Behold,  ye  shall  go  down  and 
stand  in  the  water,  and  in  my  name  shall  ye 
baptize  them."  "  And  then  ye  shall  immerse 
them  in  the  water,  and  come  forth  again  out  of 
the  water."  Page  627,  "  I  know  that  it  is  so- 
lemn mockery  before  God  that  ye  should  bap- 
tize little  children."  "  Behold,  baptism  is  unto 
repentance,  to  the  fulfilling  the  commandment, 
unto  the  remission  of  sins."  Other  passages 
of  the  same  purport  might  be  introduced,  but 
we  proceed  to  show  the  affinity  between  Camp- 
bellism  and  Mormonism,  by  the  following  ex- 
tracts, which  are  designed  to  exhibit  the  triumphs 
of  the  latter  system. 

"  We  learn,  verbally,  from  Elder  John  E. 
Page,  that  within  a  few  weeks  past  he  has 
baptized  nine  in  the  lower  part  of  this  county, 
about  eight  miles  south-west  from  Carthage, 
and  twenty  from  this  place.  Among  those  who 
embraced  the  gospel  in  that  place,  is  Mr.  Sid- 
ney Knowlton  and  family,  who  have,  for  seve- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     217 

ral  years,  been  zealous  members  of  the  Camp- 
bellite  society,  and  are  personally  acquainted 
with  the  leaders  of  that  sect,  consequently  have 
become  perfectly  acquainted  with  all  the  prin- 
ciples of  that  doctrine  :  they  are  of  the  opinion 
that  if  Messrs.  Campbell,  Scott,  and  others,  had 
been  attentive  hearers  to  the  lectures  which  had 
been  delivered  in  their  place,  they  would  have 
become  Mormons  also." 

P.  P.  Pratt,  writing  to  S.  Rigdon,  from  Man- 
chester, England,  Jan.  8th,  1841,  says, — 

"  I  must  now  inform  you  of  the  fact,  that  we 
have  reaped  the  first  fruits  of  Campbellism  in 
England.  A  few  societies  have  been  formed 
in  England  upon  that  principle  for  some  years, 
but  have  made  but  little  progress.  One  society 
of  one  hundred  members  exists  about  seventy 
miles  from  Manchester,  at  a  place  called  Not- 
tingham. They  discovered,  about  two  years 
ago,  that  they  had  been  baptized  for  the  remis- 
sion of  sins  without  authority,  and  that  they  had 
not  obtained  remission,  nor  the  gifts  of  the  Spi- 
rit. From  that  time  till  now  many  of  them  have 
been  seeking  and  praying  for  the  Lord  to  send 
officers,  and  raise  up  his  own  church.  At 
length  some  of  our  writings  fell  into  some  of 
their  hands,  which  soon  brought  two  of  their 
number  to  Manchester  to  inquire.  They  at- 
tended our  meeting  in  the  hall  of  Manchester, 
were  well  pleased,  and  called  at  our  office  next 
morning.  After  spending  the  day  in  inquiring, 
etc.,  one  of  them  purchased  three  Voices  of 
Warning,  and  returned  home  ;  the  other,  (a» 


218     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

intelligent  gentleman,)  stayed  two  or  three  days 
inquired  diligently,  and  at  length  was  baptized 
and  confirmed,  and  went  home  to  tell  the  glad 
tidings  ;  this  was  a  week  or  two  ago.  We  ex- 
pect to  hear  from  them  soon,  and  go  out  and 
baptize  and  organize  the  church  there.  Tell 
friend  Campbell  to  go  ahead  and  prepare  the 
way — the  saints  will  follow  him  up  and  gather 
the  fruits." 

Thus  it  appears  that  Campbellism  has  proved 
the  harbinger  to  Mormonism  both  in  America 
and  in  England. 

The  two  systems  seem  still  to  be  identical  in 
denying  the  necessity  of  spiritual  regeneration, 
although  the  latter  claims  extraordinary  spirit- 
ual gifts  through  baptism  and  the  laying  on  of 
hands.  The  Mormons  claiming  to  be  much 
greater  reformers  than  the  Campbellites,  by  no 
means  felt  themselves  bound  to  walk  in  the  old 
paths  ;  on  the  contrary,  they  took  the  liberty  to 
abandon  such  parts  of  the  other  system  as  did 
not  correspond  with  their  new  designs,  and  to 
run  into  every  additional  extravagance  that  pro- 
mised to  increase  their  numbers.  Thus  mira- 
cles and  tongues  were  successively  in  vogue, 
so  long  as  any  thing  was  to  be  gained  by  them. 
In  addition  to  the  light  already  thrown  upon 
these  subjects,  we  subjoin  the  following  state- 
ments of  Mr.  Bacheler,  who,  during  the  progress 
of  a  discussion  upon  the  subject  of  Mormonism, 
investigated  three  cases  of  pretended  miracles, 
in  company  with  his  opponent,  a  Mr.  Adams. 

"  The  first  was  the  case  of  an  infant  child. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     219 

which  was  said  to  have  been  rescued  from  the 
jaws  of  death  by  prayer  and  the  imposition  of 
hands,  by  a  Mormon  elder.  We  found  that  the 
child  had,  indeed,  been  very  sick  ;  that  a  Mor- 
mon elder  had  prayed  for  it,  and  laid  his  hands 
upon  it ;  that  the  child  gradually  recovered ; 
and  that  the  father  of  the  child,  who  had  pre- 
viously been  an  infidel,  had  now  renounced  in- 
fidelity, under  the  belief  that  the  child  had  been 
miraculously  healed.  But,  on  further  inquiry, 
we  ascertained  that  a  physician  had  also  been 
attending  the  child  ;  that,  in  the  height  of  its 
disease,  he  administered  a  powerful  dose  of 
medicine,  which  gave  it  a  check  ;  that  the  child 
was  actually  convalescent  when  the  Mormon 
elder  was  sent  for  ;  and  the  physician  positively 
declared  that  it  was  his  medicine  that  preserved 
its  life,  and  restored  it  to  health.  So  much 
for  the  Mormon  miracle. 

"  The  second  was  the  case  of  a  woman  who 
was  said  to  have  been  miraculously  healed  of 
the  palsy.  We  found  that  she  had  left  town. 
But  we  saw  another  woman  who  had  resided 
in  the  same  house  with  her.  This  latter  woman 
informed  us  that  the  other  one  had  really  had 
the  palsy ;  that  she  permitted  the  Mormons  to 
pray  with  her,  and  lay  their  hands  upon  her ; 
that  she  recovered,  in  some  measure,  though 
not  entirely ;  that  a  physician  had  likewise  at- 
tended her  ;  and  that  the  woman  herself  did 
not  believe  her  partial  recovery  was  attributable 
to  miracle,  but  to  medical  treatment. 

"  The  third  case  was  that  of  a  woman,  who, 


220     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

it  was  stated,  could  not  read  a  single  letter  be- 
fore joining  the  Mormons  ;  but  that,  on  becom- 
ing a  member  of  their  church,  she  could  all  at 
once  read  like  an  orator — in  the  Bible,  though 
not  in  any  other  book.  Well,  we  called  on  this 
woman.  I  selected  a  place  in  the  Bible  for  her 
to  read.  Some  words  she  called  right,  and 
some  wrong  ;  some  she  read  without  spelling, 
and  some  she  had  to  spell.  Strange  inspira- 
tion, thought  I.  After  proving  her  sufficiently 
in  this  way,  I  turned  to  the  latter  part  of  the 
Bible,  where  was  a  description  of  Palestine, 
and  which  therefore  was  no  part  of  the  Bible, 
any  more  than  if  it  had  been  printed  in  a 
book  by  itself.  Here  she  commenced  reading 
in  the  same  manner  as  she  had  read  in  the 
Bible. 

" '  So,  then,'  said  I,  '  it  seems  you  can  read 
other  reading  besides  the  Bible.'  I  then  asked 
her  if  she  could  read  any  before  she  joined  the 
Mormons.  She  replied,  that  she  could  read 
her  letters,  and  some  small  words.  This  was 
enough  on  that  point ;  for  she  could  do  very  lit- 
tle more  at  the  time  I  heard  her.  And  this  was 
the  miraculous  Mormon  reader — the  woman 
who  knew  not  a  letter  before  joining  the  Mor- 
mons ;  but  who,  by  inspiration,  could  afterward 
read  the  Bible  like  an  orator,  but  none  at  all  in 
any  other  book !  This,  however,  was  not  all. 
This  remarkable  woman  claimed  to  be  a  sub- 
ject of  miraculous,  power  in  another  respect. 
She  said,  that  before  she  joined  the  Mormons, 
she  was  exceedingly  lame  ;  but  that,  after  join- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     221 

ing  them,  she  was  instantaneously  healed.  On 
further  inquiry,  however,  it  appeared,  by  a  state- 
ment of  a  sister  of  hers,  that  she  had  gradually 
recovered  from  her  lameness,  and  that  she  was 
not  entirely  free  from  it  even  at  the  very  time 
of  our  inquiry. 

"  The  result  of  this  investigation  I  stated  to 
the  audience,  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Adams,  at 
our  next  meeting  for  discussion ;  and  he  him- 
self admitted  my  statements  to  be  true,  as  I  can 
prove,  by  a  cloud  of  witnesses,  should  it  become 
necessary.  And,  moreover,  the  same  cases  can 
now  be  investigated  by  any  who  will  take  the 
pains  to  do  it." 

Of  late  even  pretended  cases  of  miracles  have 
become  comparatively  rare  among  the  Mor- 
mons, probably  owing  to  the  increased  facilities 
for  their  detection  and  exposure. 

In  regard  to  tongues,  the  same  gentleman  ob- 
serves,— 

"  Some  fourteen  or  fifteen  months  ago,  I  was 
present  at  a  Mormon  meeting  in  Brooklyn, 
New- York.  During  the  course  of.  the  exer- 
cises, a  young  woman  rose,  and  commenced  an 
exhortation.  She  had  every  appearance  of  sin- 
cerity, and  became  exceedingly  animated.  At 
length  she  began  to  utter  certain  sounds  alto- 
gether unintelligible  to  the  audience  ;•  after 
which  she  interpreted  what  she  had  thus  uttered. 
The  interpretation  contained  a  prediction,  that 
within  one  year  from  that  time  there  would  be 
five  hundred  believers  (Mormons)  in  Brooklyn. 
This  was  received  by  the  Mormon  church  there 


222     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

assembled  as  inspiration — a  new  tongue — a  di- 
vine prediction — there  being  no  dissent  or  dis- 
approval signified  on  the  part  of  any  Mormon 
present.  Yet  the  year  has  passed  away  ;  there 
are  not  five  hundred  Mormons  in  Brooklyn,  or 
any  thing  like  it ;  the  prediction  has  proved 
false  ;  and  the  Mormon  church,  it  seems,  knew 
not  the  difference  between  gibberish  and  an 
inspired  tongue.  Here,  then,  is  a  sample  of 
their  speaking  with  new  tongues,  and  of  their 
spiritual  discernment." 

Such  proceedings  as  the  above,  and  others 
previously  detailed,  have  been  a  standing  theme 
of  boast  among  the  Mormons,  as  though  they 
proved  the  restoration  of  the  apostolic  gift  of 
tongues  to  the  Mormon  church. 

But  it  is  not  known  that  the  least  benefit  has 
ever  resulted  to  any  who  have  spoken,  or  to  any 
who  have  heard  said  tongues.  Certain  it  is, 
that  the  interpretations  given  to  such  uncouth 
sounds  have  been  less  characterized  by  common 
sense  than  the  ordinary  parlance  of  the  inter- 
preters. Lately,  however,  there  has  occurred 
an  opportunity  in  which  the  gift,  if  actually  pos- 
sessed, might  have  been  used  to  great  advan- 
tage. Mr.  O.  Hyde,  one  of  the  Mormon  twelve, 
according  to  an  official  account,  was  specially 
called  of  God,  in  a  dream,  to  visit  London,  Am- 
sterdam, Constantinople,  and  Jerusalem,  for  the 
accomplishment  of  certain  great  ends  connected 
with  the  Latter-day  Saints'  enterprise.  This 
man  is  said  to  be  now  on  his  way  to  Palestine, 
and  his  correspondence  is  thought,  by  the  pub- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     223 

lishers  of  the  Times  and  Seasons,  to  be  of  tran- 
scendent interest.  His  last  letter  describes 
himself  as  calling  in  Rotterdam  to  propose  some 
important  questions  to  a  Jewish  rabbi.  He, 
however,  represents  the  interview  to  have  been 
almost  a  failure,  because  the  rabbi  did  not  un- 
derstand English. 

The  true  difficulty  was,  that  the  Mormon 
could  not  speak  Dutch,  French,  German,  Latin, 
or  some  other  language,  which  the  rabbi  did 
understand. 

Marvellous  as  the  gibberish  seems  to  unskill- 
ed ears,  it  answers  no  manner  of  purpose  when 
an  intelligible  tongue  is  wanting.  Of  this  the 
missionary  to  Palestine  became  practically  con- 
vinced before  getting  half  way  across  the  con- 
tinent ;  hence,  we  find  him  pausing  in  his  pre- 
dicted career,  and  setting  down  at  Ratisbon  to 
learn  the  German  language  scientifically. 

"  It  was  my  intention  to  have  gone  directly 
down  the  Danube,  but  being  detained,  I  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  sitting  down  and  learning  the 
German  language  scientifically.  I  became  ac- 
quainted with  a  lady  here  who  speaks  French 
and  German  to  admiration,  and  she  was  very 
anxious  to  speak  the  English — she  proposed 
giving  me  instruction  in  the  German  if  I  would 
instruct  her  in  English.  I  accepted  her  propo- 
sal. I  have  been  engaged  eight  days  in  this  task. 
I  have  read  one  book  through,  and  part  of  an- 
other, and  translated  and  written  considerable. 
I  can  speak  and  write  the  German  considerable 
already,  and  the  lady  tells  me  that  I  make  as- 


224    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

tonishing  progress.  From  past  experience,  I 
know  that  the  keen  edge  of  any  work,  trans- 
lated by  a  stranger  in  whose  heart  the  spirit  of 
the  matter  does  not  dwell,  is  lost — the  life  and 
animation  thereof  die  away  into  a  cold  monotony, 
and  it  becomes  almost  entirely  another  thing. 
This  step  is  according  to  the  best  light  I  can 
get,  and  hope  and  trust  that  it  is  according  to 
the  mind  of  the  Lord.  The  people  will  hardly 
believe  but  that  I  have  spoken  German  before ; 
but  I  tell  them  nicht,  not.  The  German  is  spo- 
ken in  Prussia,  Bavaria,  and  in  all  the  states  of 
Germany,  Austria,  the  south  of  Russia,  and,  in 
fine,  more  or  less  all  over  Europe.  It  appears 
to  me,  therefore,  that  some  person  of  some 
little  experience  ought  to  know  this  language,  so 
as  to  translate  himself,  without  being  depend- 
ant on  strangers.  If  I  am  wrong  in  my  move- 
ment, pray  that  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  may 
direct  me  aright.  If  I  am  right,  pray  that  Hea- 
ven may  speedily  give  me  this  language." 

Before  Mr.  Hyde  fully  masters  the  German, 
he  will  probably  learn  what  it  now  seerns  very 
necessary  for  him  to  understand,  viz.,  to  make 
some  allowances  for  flattery,  when  foreigners 
tell  him  about  his  astonishing  progress  in  their 
language,  and  when  they  hesitate  to  credit  his 
assertion  of  never  having  spoken  it  before. 

But  so  elated  was  he  with  the  comprehen- 
sion of  a  few  words,  that  he  could  not  close  his 
letter  without  boasting  that  he  could  have  writ 
ten  most  of  it  in  German,  yet  he  kindly  fore 
bore,  lest  it  should  not  be  understood  at  Nauvoo 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     225 

So  much  for  his  confidence  in  the  interpreters 
of  tongues  at  home  ! 

"  The  curious  instrument,  consisting  of  two 
transparent  stones,  clear  as  crystal,  set  in  the  two 
rims  of  a  bow"  (perhaps  it  was  a  quizzing-glass,) 
could  enable  the  prophet  to  translate  the  plates  ; 
but  alas  for  Mormonism,  it  is  of  no  purpose  when 
applied  to  any  visible  or  living  language. 

A  few  additional  particulars,  respecting  Mor- 
mon belief  and  practice,  we  submit  in  the  lan- 
guage of  Mr.  Corrill,  who,  as  an  apologist  for 
their  views  and  conduct,  must  be  supposed  to 
have  at  least  stated  them  fairly. 

"  The  Mormons  believe  in,  and  constantly 
practise  the  laying  on  of  hands,  and  praying  for 
the  healing  of  the  sick ;  sometimes  they  have 
been  healed,  sometimes  partly  healed,  and  some- 
times not  benefited  at  all.  If  they  are  healed, 
they  say  it  was  because  of  their  faith,  as  the 
Saviour  promised,  *  According  to  thy  faith  be 
it  unto  thee  ;  thy  faith  hath  made  thee  whole,' 
&c.,  Matt,  viii,  13,  and  ix,  22.  If  partly  heal- 
ed, it  is  still  according  to  their  faith,  as  it  was 
said  of  some  in  old  times,  '  And  they  began  to 
amend  from  that  very  hour  ;'  but  if  they  are  not 
healed,  or  benefited  at  all,  then  it  is  for  the 
want  of  faith,  as  when  the  lunatic  was  brought 
to  the  disciples,  and  they  could  not  heal  him, 
because  of  their  unbelief,  Matt,  xvii,  20,  and 
xiii,  58.  But  they  think  in  this,  as  in  many 
other  cases,  practice  makes  perfect,  and  it  is 
necessary  to  an  increase  in  faith,  confidence, 
and  the  power  of  God. 
15 


226     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

"  The  members  of  the  church  are  required 
to  bring  their  children,  under  eight  years  old, 
into  meeting,  and  have  the  elders  lay  hands  on 
and  bless  them  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  This 
they  say  was  according  to  the  custom  of  the 
ancients,  also  of  the  Saviour,  who  commanded 
little  children  to  be  brought  to  him  for  that  pur- 
pose. They  also  believe  that  a  child  begins  to 
be  accountable  at  eight  years  old,  and  not  sooner ; 
and  it  is  the  duty  of  the  parents  to  teach  and 
instruct  them  up  to  that  age,  and  then  have  them 
baptized  into  the  church. 

"  It  was  also  a  rule  in  the  church  to  have  one 
in  each  stake  (most  generally  the  oldest,  if  suit- 
able) appointed  and  ordained  a  patriarch,  whose 
duty  it  was  to  be  a  sort  of  father  to  the  church, 
and  bless  such  children  as  had  no  natural  father 
to  bless  them. 

"  For  a  general  rule,  they  excluded  the  use 
of  ardent  spirits,  tobacco,  tea,  and  coffee,  in 
accordance  with  a  revelation,  called  the  words 
of  wisdom,  in  which  the  abstinence  from  these 
things  were  recommended,  but  not  commanded. 
Also,  wasting  of  flesh,  or  taking  of  life  of  ani- 
mals unnecessarily,  or  for  sport,  was  forbidden. 

"  The  sacrament  was  administered  on  every 
first  day,  (sabbath,)  by  a  high  priest,  or  an  elder. 
Bread  and  wine  are  used  as  emblems  ;  but  for 
wine  they  prefer  the  pure  juice  of  the  grape, 
when  they  can  get  it,  and  they  administer  in 
remembrance  of  the  body  and  blood  of  the  Sa- 
viour, as  the  Scripture  commands. 

u  They  believe  that  matter  is  eternal ',  and  that 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     227 

nothing  of  all  God's  works  will  ever  be  destroy- 
ed or  lost ;  but  in  the  end  all  things  will  be 
restored  to  their  proper  place,  and  the  sons  of 
perdition  alone  will  endure  the  lowest  hell,  or 
lake  of  fire  and  brimstone. 

"  In  matters  of  war,  they  hold  it  a  duty  to 
strive  for  peace,  arid  not  resent  an  injury,  but 
bear  patiently  the  first,  second,  and  third  time  ; 
but  they  are  not  bound  to  receive  or  bear  the 
fourth,  but  may  resist  to  the  uttermost,  in  their 
own  defence,  and  in  putting  down  their  ene- 
mies. 

"  They  esteem  the  law  of  God,  as  given 
through  their  prophet,  to  be  vastly  superior  to 
any  other  law  ;  and  if  they  could  have  the  pri- 
vilege, they  would  prefer  to  be  governed  by 
that  alone  ;  and  this,  I  believe,  is  the  grand 
cause  of  jealousy  and  difficulty  between  them 
and  their  neighbours,  who  prefer  to  be  govern- 
ed by  other  laws." 

It  should  be  added,  that  they  consider  the 
different  Christian  denominations  of  the  present 
day  as  offspring  of  the  great  whore  of  Baby- 
lon, and  believe  that  none  can  be  saved  who 
do  not  receive  the  Book  of  Mormon  as  divine. 
"  Those  who  receive  it  in  faith,  and  work  right- 
eousness, shall  receive  a  crown  of  eternal  life  ; 
but  those  who  harden  their  hearts  in  unbelief, 
and  reject  it,  it  shall  turn  to  their  own  condem- 
nation."* 

Surely  this  latter  sentiment  is  a  close  imita- 
tion of  Romish  exclusiveness,  while  the  govern- 
*  Vide  book  of  Doctrines  and  Covenants,  p.  78. 


228     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

ing  power  of  the  prophet,  on  a  pigmy  scale  we 
allow,  appears  to  be  nearly  as  correct  a  sem- 
blance of  the  authority  of  his  holiness,  the 
pope. 

Thus  we  find  Mormonism  to  have  gathered 
together,  in  a  shapeless  mass,  the  disjointed 
fragments  of  atheism,  Judaism,  and  Papacy. 
Out  of  such  materials  it  professes  to  erect  the 
very  perfection  of  the  spiritual  edifice  of  Chris- 
tianity. It  claims  to  usher  in  "  the  fulness  of 
the  gospel."  It  is  to  restore  the  apostolic 
church,  and  its  followers  are  to  be  endowed 
with  the  gifts  and  graces  of  the  primitive 
saints  !  All  this  is  based  upon  detected  fraud, 
and  sustained  by  reiterated  falsehoods !  The 
bare  statement  of  such  self-repellant  inconsist- 
encies beggars  the  very  idea  of  comment. 

We  are  far  from  believing  that  the  great  mass 
of  those  who  have  received  this  system  are  dis- 
honest men  ;  nor  do  we  imitate  the  exclusive- 
ness  of  said  system,  by  asserting  that  no  Mor- 
mon can  be  saved.  We  however  do  maintain, 
on  the  ground  of  what  has  been  clearly  shown, 
that  Mormonism  is  adapted  to  bring  together 
the  very  extremes  of  religious  fanaticism,  and 
of  reckless  villany.  This  single  fact  accounts 
for  its  temporary  success,  and  again  repels  the 
idea  of  any  comparison  between  it  and  Christi- 
anity, other  than  that  of  contrast.  Respecting 
the  means  of  its  propagation,  it  ought  to  be 
known  that  deceit  is  systematically  practised 
Mormon  preachers  designedly  keep  out  of  view 
the  distinguishing  peculiarities  of  their  system, 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    229 

till  they  have  secured  their  converts  on  other 
and  different  grounds  from  those  by  which  the 
truth  or  falsity  of  their  system  must  be  deter- 
mined. It  is  then  often  too  late  for  such  per- 
sons to  draw  back:  they  must  go  on  to  know 
the  uttermost.  Not  so  the  apostles  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  They  honestly  preached  "the 
cross,"  although  "  a  stumbling  block  to  the  Jews, 
and  foolishness  to  the  Greeks."  "  Jesus  of 
Nazareth,"  and  him  crucified,  was  the  burden 
of  their  message,  and  their  only  message, 
wherever  they  went. 

Mormon  teachers,  however,  aim  to  fall  in 
with  the  current  of  popular  opinion  as  much  as 
they  can.  Thus  they  have  a  fair  side  to  show 
to  nearly  every  sect  and  class  in  the  commu- 
nity ad  captandum.  Without  attempting  to  enu- 
merate all,  the  following  examples  will  illustrate 
the  fact.  They  can  preach  immersion  to  Bap- 
tists ;  confirmation  to  Protestant  Episcopalians  ; 
the  second  coming  of  Christ  specially  near  at 
hand  toMillerites,^  id  omne genus;  slang  against 
religion,  under  the  name  of  sectarianism,  to  a 
numerous  but  nameless  class  ;  baptism  for  the 
dead  to  either  Universalists  or  Catholics,  and 
materialism  to  infidels.  In  making  a  general 
harangue,  or  in  addressing  a  promiscuous  au- 
dience, they  keep  the  Book  of  Mormon  out  of 
view  as  much  as  possible,  and  proceeding  to 
argue  their  case  entirely  from  the  common 
translation  of  the  Scriptures,  endeavour  to  esta- 
blish themselves  in  a  parallel  with  respectable 
Christian  denominations.  Such  a  course,  to 


230    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

say  thtf  least,  is  chargeable  with  guilty  equivo- 
cation :  but  hence  the  remark  made  by  some 
who  have  heard  them,  "  We  do  not  see  much 
difference  between  them  and  others."  If  there 
be  not  much  difference  between  them  and  pre- 
valent Christian  denominations,  then  there  is 
not  much  occasion  for  their  preaching,  and  none 
for  their  institutions.  If  there  be  a  difference, 
as  honest  men  they  are  bound  to  explain  and 
show  cause  for  it.  This  should  be  their  lead- 
ing object,  instead  of  concealment  and  evasion. 
We  avow,  distinctly,  that  we  do  not,  at  present, 
discuss  those  points  of  doctrine  which  the  Mor- 
mons claim  to  hold  in  common  with  any  deno- 
mination of  Christians.  Such  doctrines  existed, 
and  all  the  arguments  in  favour  of  them,  before 
Mormonism  was  ever  thought  of.  Our  inqui- 
ries are  after  Mormonism  per  se.  We  have 
shown  its  origin :  we  now  proceed  to  develop 
its  peculiar  tenets.  In  the  first  place  we  copy 
a  definition  given  by  one  of  its  high  priests. 
"  Mormonism  is  to  believe  that  Christ  is  the 
Son  of  God ;  also  a  firm  belief  in  the  Scrip- 
tures ;  then  faith,  repentance,  and  baptism,  for 
the  remission  of  sins ;  the  laying  on  of  hands 
for  the  reception  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  having  a 
church  organized  according  to  the  New-Testa- 
ment pattern,  and  to  live  by  every  word  that 
proceeds  from  the  mouth  of  God  :  [through  Jo- 
seph Smith  !]  all  who  reject  this  will  be  damned, 
if  the  Scriptures  are  true." 

This  extract  corroborates  what  we  have  said 
above.     The  definition  purports  to  have  been 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    231 

given  in  a  public  discussion ;  and  a  more  dis- 
honest specimen  of  evasion  could  scarcely  have 
been  contrived.  One  clause  of  it,  nevertheless, 
may  be  easily  tested, — "  having  a  church  or- 
ganized according  to  the  New-Testament  pat- 
tern." The  same  writer  observes  in  another 
place  :  "  It  is  folly  to  say  that  any  sect  worship 
God  according  to  the  true  pattern,  when  their 
organization  does  not  resemble  the  plan  laid  down 
in  the  sacred  volume."  Hence  it  will  appear 
folly  to  say  that  Mormons  worship  God  aright, 
since  their  organization  is  as  far  from  even  re- 
sembling the  New-Testament  pattern,  as  it  is 
from  any  likeness  to  the  constitution  of  the  pri- 
mitive church.  It  will  avail  nothing  to  urge 
that  they  nominally  have  among  them  bishops, 
elders,  deacons,  and  teachers,  since,  saying 
nothing  of  an  entire  want  of  likeness  between 
Mormon  bishops,  (mere  fiscal  agents,)  elders, 
<fec.,  and  those  of  the  apostolic  church,  all 
these  are  subordinate  to  the  following  head 
officers  and  bodies  corporate  of  the  Mormon 
church,  viz.,  seers,  revelators,  translators,  presi- 
dents, first  presidency  and  high  council  of  Nauvoo, 
quorum  of  the  travelling  high  council,  patriarchs, 
high  priests,  and  quorum  of  the  seventy. 

Perhaps  we  shall  get  more  light  from  the 
following  paragraph,  in  which  the  prophet  states 
to  Mr.  Galland  the  first  and  fundamental  prin- 
ciple of  Mormonism. 

"  Now,  sir,  you  may  think  that  it  is  a  broad 
assertion  that  Mormonism  is  truth  ;  but,  sir,  the 
first  and  fundamental  principle  of  our  holy  reli- 


232    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

gion  is,  that  we  believe  that  we  have  a  right  to 
embrace  all,  and  every  item  of  truth,  without 
limitation,  or  without  being  circumscribed  or 
prohibited  by  the  creeds  or  superstitious  notions 
of  men,  or  by  the  dominations  of  one  another, 
when  that  truth  is  clearly  demonstrated  to  our 
minds,  and  we  have  the  highest  degree  of  evi- 
dence of  the  same  :  we  feel  ourselves  bound  by 
the  laws  of  God  to  observe  and  do  strictly,  with 
all  our  hearts,  all  things  whatsoever  is  manifest 
unto  us  by  the  highest  degree  of  testimony  that 
God  has  committed  to  us,  as  written  in  the  Old 
and  New  Testament,  or  anywhere  else,  by  any 
manifestation,  whereof  we  know  that  it  has 
come  from  God ;  and  has  application  to  us, 
being  adapted  to  our  situation  and  circum- 
stances, age  and  generation  of  life  ;  and  that 
we  have  a  perfect  and  indefeasible  right  to  em- 
brace all  such  commandments,  and  do  them, 
knowing  that  God  will  not  command  any  thing 
but  what  is  peculiarly  adapted,  in  itself,  to  ame- 
liorate the  condition  of  every  man  under  what- 
ever circumstances  it  may  find  him,  it  matters 
not  what  kingdom  or  country  he  may  be  in. 
And  again,  we  believe  that  it  is  our.  privilege 
to  reject  all  things,  whatsoever  is  clearly  mani- 
fested to  us  that  they  do  not  have  a  bearing 
upon  us." 

This  precious  morceau,  if  it  mean  any  thing 
at  all,  doubtless  means  to  say,  "  the  first  and 
fundamental  principle  ofMormonism"  is  to  believe 
implicitly  all  the  pretended  revelations  of  Joseph 
Smith,  as  much  as  though  they  were  written  in  the 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    233 

Bible.  We  admit  that  this  was  rather  an  awk- 
ward thing  to  express,  and  hence  we  are  dis- 
posed to  overlook  the  unparelleled  verbosity  of 
the  sentence.  But,  after  all,  it  aims  at  the 
point  around  which  the  whole  system  revolves. 
Against  those  who  have  been  excommunicated 
from  the  sect,  and  denounced  with  its  vengeful 
anathemas,  the  leading  accusation  has  generally 
been  a  renunciation  of  allegiance  to  the  pro- 
phet. Witness  the  minutes  of  a  conference 
chronicled  on  page  338  of  the  Times  and  Sea- 
sons. "  The  conference  gave  Elder  Stephen 
Kittle's  case  a  fair  investigation,  and  found  him 
not  worthy  a  standing  in  the  church  of  Jesus 
Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints."  The  charges 
were  the  following: — Asserting,  1.  THAT  JO- 
SEPH SMITH  is  NOT  A  PROPHET  OF  THE  LORD. 
2.  That  self-defence  is  not  righteous.  3.  That 
the  Book  of  Mormon  is  not  true.  4.  That  Zion 
is  not  on  this  land.  5.  Striving  to  persuade 
men  to  embrace  error,"  i.  e.,  we  suppose,  striv- 
ing to  maintain  the  above  positions.  Now  if 
this  was  "  the  head  and  front"  of  Stephen  Kit- 
tie's  offending,  he  could  not  have  been  a  very 
bad  man.  The  very  assertion  of  such  senti- 
ments as  are  alleged  against  him,  prove  him, 
so  far  at  least,  to  have  become  rational  and 
sober  minded,  and  hence,  forsooth,  he  was  pro- 
nounced unworthy  a  standing  among  the  Mor- 
mons. 

No  person  can  fail  to  see  that  Mormonism 
makes  use  of  Christianity  merely  as  a  cloak  to 
hide  its  own  imperfections.  This  is  no  new 


234    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

thing  under  the  snn.     Certain  species  of  avo\\ 
ed  infidels  claim  as  fundamental  to  their  system 
principles  for  which  they  are  wholly  indebted 
to  Christianity. 

The  Saviour  warns  us,  Matt,  xxiv,  24,  that 
"  there  shall  arise  false  Christs  and  false  pro- 
phets, and  shall  show  great  signs  and  wonders  ; 
insomuch  that  if  it  were  possible  they  shall  de- 
ceive the  very  elect."  And  no  marvel ;  "  for 
Satan  himself  is  transformed  into  an  angel  of 
light.  Therefore  it  is  no  great  thing  if  his 
ministers  also  be  transformed  as  the  ministers 
of  righteousness,  whose  end  shall  be  according 
to  their  works."  2  Cor.  xi,  14,  15.  So  Mor- 
monism,  in  order  to  make  progress  in  a  Chris- 
tian community,  puts  on  the  garb  of  righteous- 
ness, and  many  are  really  made  to  believe  it 
the  fulness  of  the  gospel.  How  can  the  truths 
of  Christianity  be  thus  used  to  build  up  the  de- 
vil's kingdom  ? 

Stripping  off  its  mantle  of  hypocrisy,  Mor- 
monism  stands  forth  in  the  following  cardinal 
positions — a  meagre  and  ghastly  skeleton. 

1.  Joseph  Smith  is  a  prophet  of  the  Lord, 
and  a  priest  after  the  order  of  Melchisedek. 

2.  The  Book  of  Mormon  is  true,  i.  e.,  in- 
spired. 

3.  Zion  is  on  this  land,  (Nauvoo,  Illinois.) 

4.  Matter  is  eternal. 

5.  God  is  a  material  being. 

6.  The  saints  are  to  be  baptized  for  their  dead 
relations,  on  peril  of  their  own  salvation. 

The  burden  of  proof  to  all  these  position? 


MORMONTSM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     235 

falls,  of  course,  upon  their  advocates.  It  has 
never  been  sustained,  although  Scripture  is 
said  to  be  quoted  fluently  in  support  of  each. 

In  regard  to  the  first,  its  very  mention,  after 
what  has  been  shown  in  these  pages,  must  be 
considered  as  bordering  on  blasphemy.  Yet 
among  the  Latter-day  Saints'  hymns  is  the  fol- 
lowing, which  they  no  doubt  use  in  their  wor- 
ship. 

HYMN  265.     P.  M. 

1  Now  we'll  sing  with  one  accord, 
For  a  prophet  of  the  Lord, 
Bringing  forth  his  precious  word, 

Cheers  the  saints  as  anciently. 

2  When  the  world  in  darkness  lay, 
Lo,  he  sought  the  better  way, 
And  he  heard  the  Saviour  say, 

"  Go  and  prune  my  vineyard,  son  '" 

3  And  an  angel  surely,  then, 
For  a  blessing  unto  men, 
Brought  the  priesthood  back  again, 

In  its  ancient  purity. 

4  Even  Joseph  he  inspires, 
Yea,  his  heart  he  truly  fires, 
With  the  light  that  he  desires, 

For  the  work  of  righteousness. 

5  And  the  Book  of  Mormon,  true, 
With  its  covenants  ever  new, 
For  the  Gentile  and  the  Jew, 

He  translated  sacredly. 

6  The  commandments  to  the  church, 
Which  the  saints  will  always  search, 
(Where  the  joys  of  heaven  perch,) 

Came  through  him  from  Jesus  Christ. 


236    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

7  Precious  are  his  years  to  come, 
When  the  righteous  gather  home, 
For  the  great  millennium, 

Where  he'll  rest  in  blessedness. 

8  Prudent  in  this  world  of  woes, 
He  will  TRIUMPH  O'ER  HIS  FOES, 
While  the  realm  of  Zion  grows, 

Purer  for  eternity. 

The  second  position,  namely,  that  the  Book 
of  Mormon  is  true,  will  be  tested  in  the  suc- 
ceeding chapters.  Respecting  the  third,  that 
Zion  is  on  this  land,  there  is  no  need  of  con- 
troversy. Kirtland,  Far  West,  and  Nauvoo, 
have  each,  in  turn,  been  THE  place.  The  two 
former  are  now  abandoned.  The  various  pre- 
dictions respecting  them  prove  their  authors  to 
have  been  false  prophets,  and  why  should  they 
be  credited  again  ? 

In  the  assertion  that  "  matter  is  eternal,"  and 
that  God  is  a  material  being,  we  have  infidelity 
unmasked — the  doctrines  of  devils  without  a 
blush. 

The  reader,  accustomed  to  put  confidence  in 
the  high  religious  pretensions  of  Mormonism, 
may  startle  when  such  doctrines  are  charged 
upon  it :  we  therefore  quote  the  .language  of 
one  of  its  leading  advocates.  P.  P.  Pratt,  in  a 
"  Treatise  upon  the  Regeneration  and  the  Eter- 
nal Duration  of  Matter,"  maintains  the  following 
as  his  leading  proposition  :  "  Matter  and  spirit 
are  of  equal  duration  ;  BOTH  ARE  SELF-EXIST- 
ENT— they  never  began  to  exist,  and  they  never 
can  be  annihilated."  In  attempting  to  prove 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    237 

this  he  says,  "  It  is  impossible  for  a  mechanic 
to  make  any  thing  whatever  without  materials  : 
so  it  is  EQUALLY  IMPOSSIBLE  for  GOD  to  bring 
forth  matter  from  nonentity,  or  to  originate  ele- 
ments from  nothing ;  because  this  would  con- 
tradict the  law  of  truth,  and  destroy  himself. 
We  might  as  well  say  that  God  can  add  two 
and  three  together,  and  the  product  will  be 
twelve  ;  or  that  we  can  subtract  five  from  ten 
and  leave  eight,  as  to  say  that  he  can  originate 
matter  from  nonentity.*  *  *  *  * 

"  Here,  then,  is  mathematical  demonstration 
that  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  ANY  BEING  to  ori- 
ginate matter.  Hence  we  conclude  that  mat- 
ter as  well  as  spirit  is  eternal,  uncreated,  self- 
existing." 

In  advocating  the  kindred  sentiment,  that 
God  is  a  material  being,  the  Mormons  resort 
to  those  figurative  expressions  of  Scripture  by 
which  the  ways  of  God  are  revealed  to  finite 
comprehension.  By  supposing  these  to  be 
literal  descriptions  of  the  body  arid  parts  of  Je- 
hovah, they  consider  their  case  established. 

In  their  conversations  and  harangues  on  this 
subject,  they  manifest  a  peculiar  animosity  to 
the  doctrines  imbodied  in  the  Ritual  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  They  seem 
ignorant  that  the  articles  which  they  most  se- 
verely assail,  free  from  the  controversies  that 
have  prevailed  on  minor  points,  have  been  ac- 
knowledged from  the  earliest  ages  to  express 
the  standard  faith  of  the  Christian  church. 
Thus,  in  their  eager  opposition  to  Methodism, 


238    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

they  stab  at  the  very  vitals  of  Christianity  itself 
The  most  vulgar  atheist  would  scarcely  be 
guilty  of  a  more  profane  attack  upon  the  car- 
dinal principles  of  all  true  religion,  than  is 
contained  in  the  following  fragment  from  the 
pen  of  Pratt,  which  has  been  more  than  once 
published  by  the  Mormons  : — 

"  Here,  then,  is  the  Methodist  God  without 
either  eyes,  ears,  or  mouth ! ! !  and  yet  man 
was  created  after  the  image  of  God  ;  but  this 
could  not  apply  to  the  Methodists'  God,  for  he 
has  no  image  or  likeness  !  The  Methodist  God 
can  neither  be  Jehovah  nor  Jesus  Christ ;  for 
Jehovah  showed  his  face  to  Moses  and  to  the 
seventy  elders  of  Israel,  and  his  feet  too  ;  he 
also  wrote  with  his  own  finger  on  the  tablets  of 
stone.  Isaiah  informs  us,  that  his  arm  is  not 
shortened  ;  that  his  ear  is  not  dull  of  hearing, 
&c.,  and  that  he  will  proceed  to  make  bare  his 
arm  in  the  eyes  of  all  the  nations  ;  and  Eze- 
kiel  says,  '  His  fury  shall  come  up  in  his  face ;' 
and  Zech.  xiv,  says, '  His  feet  shall  stand  in  that 
day  upon  the  Mount  of  Olives,'  and  they  which 
behold  shall  say,  '  What  are  these  wounds  in 
thy  hands  and  in  thy/ee£,'  &c.  Consequently, 
Methodism  is  a  system  of  idolatry." 

The  same  writer  says,  "  We  worship  a 
God  who  has  both  body  and  parts,  who  has 
eyes,  mouth,  and  ears,  and  who  speaks  when  he 
pleases,  and  to  whom  he  pleases."  "  Our  God 
is  just  as  good  at  mechanical  inventions,  archi- 
tecture, tailoring,  smithing,  stone-cutting,  &c., 
&c.,  &c.,  as  at  any  other  business." 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    239 

What  an  illustration  of  the  apostle's  words, 
Rom.  i,  22,  23,  "  Professing  themselves  to  be 
wise,  they  became  fools,  and  changed  the  glory 
of  the  incorruptible  God  into  an  image  made 
like  to  corruptible  man  !" 

Like  the  ancient  anthropomorphites,  they 
draw  their  principal  argument  on  this  subject 
from  Gen.  i,  27,  "  So  God  created  man  in  his 
own  image,  in  the  image  of  God  created  he 
him,  male  and  female  created  he  them."  Sup- 
posing this  to  refer  to  the  bodily  form,  rather 
than  to  the  moral  likeness  in  which  man  was 
created,  they  unhesitatingly  infer  that  in  their 
own  persons  they  have  a  copy  of  the  body  and 
parts  of  the  Deity  !  Other  arguments  in  sup- 
port of  this  heresy  are  drawn  from  those  pas- 
sages of  the  Scripture  which  represent  God  as 
having  manifested  himself  to  his  creatures  in 
human  form.  Thus  when  Jacob  wrestled  with 
the  angel,  and  was  overwhelmed  with  the  mani- 
festation of  divine  power  he  witnessed,  he  ex- 
claimed in  one  of  the  boldest  metaphors  of  the 
Hebrew  tongue,  "  I  have  seen  God  face  to  face." 

Again,  Exod.  xxxiii,  11,  it  is  said,  "The 
Lord  spake  unto  Moses  face  to  face,  as  a  man 
speaketh  unto  his  friend,"  i.  e.,  familiarly. 
Such  expressions  are  clearly  explained  by  a 
reference  to  Numbers  xiv,  14,  "  For  they  have 
heard  that  thou,  Lord,  art  among  this  people  ; 
that  thou,  Lord,  art  seen  face  to  face,  and  that 
thy  cloud  standeth  over  them,  and  that  thou 
goest  before  them  by  day  time  in  a  pillar  of 
cloud,  and  in  a  pillar  of  fire  by  night." 


240    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

Here  we  find  the  phrase  "  seeing  God  face 
to  face"  limited  in  its  application  to  those 
manifestations  of  the  Deity  which  he  conde- 
scended to  make  of  himself  through  the  pillai 
of  cloud  and  of  fire,  at  the  tabernacle  and  by 
the  presence  of  his  Spirit. 

From  first  to  last,  Moses  appears  to  have  had 
no  idea  that  God  was  confined  to  shape  or 
form,  hence  it  will  be  observed  in  the  passage 
so  often  quoted  by  the  Mormons  to  sustain  their 
views,  Exod.  xxxiii,  17-23,  that  Moses  only 
asks,  "  I  beseech  thee,  show  me  THY  GLORY." 
God  answers  that  even  this,  in  its  fulness,  could 
not  be  seen  by  mortals.  Nevertheless,  he  would 
cause  his  goodness  to  pass  before  his  servant, 
who,  placed  in  a  cleft  of  the  rock  and  covered 
with  the  divine  hand,  might  behold  some  faint 
and  sufferable  manifestation  of  the  glory  that 
passed  by.  Some  commentators  have  suppos- 
ed, that  in  this  scene  a  vision  of  the  person  of 
Christ  was  discovered  to  Moses,  as  an  assur- 
ance of  God's  design  to  save  his  people  from 
their  sins. 

This  subject  is  illustrated  by  various  pas- 
sages in  the  New  Testament.  John  i,  18,  "  No 
man  hath  seen  God  at  any  time."  1  Cor.  vi, 
16,  "Dwelling  in  the  light  which  no  man  can 
approach  unto  :  whom  no  man  hath  seen,  nor 
can  see."  John  vi,  46,  "  Not  that  any  man 
hath  seen  the  Father,  save  he  which  is  of  God, 
[Christ,]  he  hath  seen  the  Father."  1  Tim.  iii, 
16,  "  God  was  manifest  in  the  flesh,  justified  in 
the  Spirit,  SEEN  of  angels,  preached  unto  the 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    241 

Gentiles,  believed  on  in  the  world,  received  up 
into  glory."  In  the  last-quoted  passages  we 
learn  that  while  in  the  person  of  Christ  God 
was  clearly  manifest  to  mortals,  yet  he  was 
properly  seen  only  of  angels,  while  even  angels 
may  never  have  beheld  the  full  glories  of  the 
invisible,  but  only  Christ. 

From  such  soul-inspiring  views  of  Deity 
what  a  descent  even  to  contemplate  the  Mor- 
mon doctrine  !  "  We  worship  a  God  who  hath 
both  body  and  parts,  who  has  eyes,  mouth, 
and  ears."  Revolting  as  is  the  bare  contem- 
plation of  such  language  and  sentiments,  we 
must  go  further,  and  point  out  a  few  legitimate 
consequences  of  the  doctrine. 

1.  It  contradicts  the  Bible,  which  says,  "  God 
is  a  spirit.     A  spirit  hath  not  flesh  and  bones." 

2.  Materiality  destroys  the  omnipresence  of 
any  being  ;  for  according  to  the  laws  of  nature, 
no  two  bodies  can  occupy  the  same  space  at 
the  same  time,  nor  can  one  and  the  same  body 
be  in   different  places   at  the    same    moment. 
Hence  when  the    God  of  the  Mormons  is  at 
Nauvoo  he  is  absent  from  all  the  world  besides. 
Thus  those  of  them  who  have  not  gone  up 
thither  in  the  gathering,  must  pray  to  a  God 
"  afar   off."     Opposed    to    all   such   degrading 
views  of  himself,  the  Christian's  God  exclaims, 
"  Do  not  I  fill  heaven  and  earth  ?"  The  Psalm- 
ist, deeply    impressed  with  a  sense  of  God's 
ubiquity,  asks,  "  Whither  shall  I  go  from  thy 
Spirit  ?    Or  whither  shall  I  flee  from  thy  pre- 
sence ?    If  I  ascend  up  into  heaven,  thou  art 

16 


242    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

there.  If  I  take  the  wings  of  the  morning  and 
dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea ;  even 
there  shall  thy  hand  lead  me,  and  thy  right 
hand  shall  hold  me." 

3.  The  omnipresence  of  God  being  disprov- 
ed ;  no  one  can  substantiate  either  his  omnis- 
cience or  his  omnipotence:  for  how  can  his  eyes 
behold  what  he  is  not  present  to  see  or  his  hands 
perform  the  wonders  of  heaven  while  his  pre- 
sence is  on  earth  ? 

4.  Combining  the  Mormon  doctrines  of  the 
materiality  of  God  and  the   "  regeneration  of 
matter,"  what  have  we  but  the  necessity  of  the 
Almighty  being  born  again  in  order  to  enter  his 
own  kingdom!     If  it  be  said  that  this  being, 
never  having  sinned,  requires  no  new  birth,  we 
reply  that  the  earth  never  sinned,  and  yet  Mor- 
mons and  some  others  suppose  it  to  need  re- 
generation in  consequence  of  Adam's  fall. 

5.  What  can  Mormonism  justly  claim  but  to 
be  considered  as  a  system  of  the  grossest  idolay 
try  ?  Even  the  heathen  claim  to  worship  invisi- 
ble spirits  through  their  images,  but  the  Mor- 
mons believe  that  God  himself  is  an  image  of 
which  corruptible  man  is  a  likeness. 

No  doubt  the  great  mass  of  the  common  peo- 
ple would  be  astonished  at  this  view  of  the 
consequences  of  the  theory  taught  them.  They 
have  from  childhood  been  trained  up  in  the  ge- 
neral ideas  of  a  Christian  community  respect- 
ing the  King  eternal,  immortal,  and  invisible. 
Of  these  they  cannot  rid  themselves  at  once, 
even  though  they  imbibe  principles  directly 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMSNS.    243 

subversive  of  them.  But  let  them  or  any 
thinking  person  decide  if  the  above  conse- 
quences and  others  equally  fatal  to  truth,  do 
not  legitimately  follow  the  Mormon  doctrine 
respecting  God. 

Baptism  for  the  dead. — This  is  something  of 
recent  origin  among  the  Mormons.  It  may  be 
defined  as  a  vicarious  immersion  or  "  baptism 
by  proxy,"  administered  to  living  persons  in 
behalf  of  their  relations  who  have  died  unre- 
generate  or  unbaptized. 

It  claims  for  its  foundation  the  expression  of 
St.  Paul,  1  Cor.  xv,  30,  "  Else  what  shall  they 
do  which  are  baptized  for  the  dead  ?"  The 
reader  needs  not  to  be  told  that  no  other  pas- 
sage in  the  Bible  gives  even  an  apparent  coun- 
tenance to  such  a  practice.  This  passage, 
moreover,  is  relieved  from  most  of  its  difficulties, 
and  certainly  from  such  a  perversion,  by  the  in- 
terpretation of  Chrysostom,  who  as  early  as  the 
fourth  century  had  to  contend  with  a  similar 
heresy,  then  advocated  by  the  Marcionites. 
That  venerable  father  interprets  the  passage 
by  supplying  an  ellipsis  very  obvious  from  the 
tenor  of  the  context.  The  apostle  was  dis- 
coursing upon  the  resurrection  of  the  dead — 
that  distinguishing  doctrine  of  Christianity. 
The  hope  of  a  part  in  the  first  resurrection 
was  the  powerful  inducement  by  which  men 
were  urged  to  become  Christians  ;  entering  the 
church  through  the  initiatory  rite  of  baptism. 
Paul,  urging  this,  and  at  the  same  time  contend- 
ing against  the  infidel  objections  that  "  Christ 


244    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

rose  not,  neither  will  the  dead  arise,"  exclaims, 
appealing  to  the  power  of  the  Almighty,  as  the 
assurance  of  his  hope,  "  Else  what  shall  they 
do,  which  are  baptized  for  [the  resurrection  of] 
the  dead,  if  the  dead  rise  not  at  all  ?  Why  are 
they  then  baptized  for  [or  in  hope  of  the  resur- 
rection of]  the  dead  ?  And  why  stand  we  in 
jeopardy  every  hour  ?" 

The  necessity  of  thus  supplying  this  ellipsis 
is  still  more  obvious  from  the  Greek,  in  which, 
by  the  addition  of  a  single  word,  the  sense  is 
made  to  harmonize  with  the  scope  of  the  whole 
chapter. 

'ETret,  ri  TToiTjaovmv  bi  fiaim^opevoi  vrrep 
[rrjg  dvaardaeG)g~\  r&v  VSKQ&V;  el  '  6h(*)g  veKpoi 
OVK  ky&iyovTai,  ri  nal  ftanri^ovrat,  vrrep 


Leaving  this  interpretation  to  stand  upon  its 
proper  merits,  we  proceed  to  notice  the  contri- 
vance and  developments  of  the  Mormon  doc- 
trine. 

The  first  notice  of  this  subject,  as  introduced 
at  Nauvoo,  is  found  in  the  minutes  of  a  confer- 
ence held  Oct.  3,  1840,  in  which  it  is  stated, 
"  President  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  then  arose  and 
delivered  a  discourse  on  the  subject  of  baptism 
for  the  dead,  which  was  listened  to  with  con- 
siderable interest  by  the  vast  multitude  assem- 
bled." At  another  conference  held  April, 
1841,  "  President  Rigdon  delivered  a  discourse 
on  the  subject  of  baptism  for  the  dead,  which 
was  set  forth  in  a  manner  new  and  interesting, 
and  with  an  eloquence  peculiar  to  the  speaker 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    245 

which  was  listened  to  with  intense  interest  by 
the  assembly." 

"  Gen.  Bennett  made  some  very  appropriate 
observations  in  continuation  of  the  subject. 

"  President  Smith  likewise  followed  on  the 
same  subject,  and  threw  considerable  light  on 
the  doctrine  which  had  been  investigated." 

Soon  after  this  a  correspondent  of  the  Times 
and  Seasons,  in  elucidating  the  doctrine,  says, 
"  The  gospel  has  been,  and  we  infer,  is  still, 
preached  to  the  dead ;  that  is,  to  disembodied 
spirits."  "  The  departed  spirit  is  in  a  proba- 
tionary state,  capable  of  being  affected  by  the 
proclamation  of  the  gospel."  Christ  "  offers 
pardon,  peace,  holiness,  and  eternal  life  to  the 
quick  and  the  dead :  the  living,  on  condition  of 
faith  and  baptism  for  remission  of  sins  ;  the 
departed,  on  the  same  condition  of  faith  in  per- 
son and  baptism  by  a  living  kinsman  in  his  be- 
half. It  may  be  asked,  Will  this  baptism  by 
proxy  necessarily  save  the  dead  ?  We  answer, 
No :  neither  will  the  same  necessarily  save  the 
living.  But  this,  with  the  other  requisites,  will 
save  both  the  living  and  the  dead,  and  God  will 
raise  them  up  to  glorify  him  together." 

Queries. — 1.  How  can  the  departed  believe 
in  person,  when  their  bodies  lie  mouldering 
back  to  dust? 

2.  How  can  the  living  kinsman  know,  whe- 
ther the  departed  spirit  believes  the  gospel  or 
rejects  it  ? 

3.  What  degree  of  relationship  is  necessary 
to  make  the  proxy  valid  ? 


246     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

4.  Suppose  the  survivor  hopes  that  the  wick- 
ed spirit  has  believed  the  gospel,  and  is  bap- 
tized in  its  behalf;  when,  in  fact,  the  unjust  is 
unjust  still :  of  what  advantage  is  the  rite  to 
either  party  ?  If  none,  who  can  estimate  the 
wickedness  of  thus  mocking  God  and  reli- 
gion? 

In  May,  1841,  according  to  the  minutes  of  a 
conference  held  at  Kirtland,  after  considerable 
preaching,  "about  twenty-five  baptisms  took 
place,  most  of  which  were  for  the  dead."  Other 
instances  of  this  practice  might  be  cited,  but 
how  extensively  it  prevails,  we  are  not  inform- 
ed. It  has  evidently  become  a  subject  of  no 
little  agitation  among  the  saints,  since  at  every 
successive  conference,  new  light  is  demanded 
from  the  revelators  to  clear  up  the  dark  points 
of  this  newly  invented  heresy.  Thus  at  the 
general  conference  held  at  Nauvoo,  in  October 
last, — 

"  President  Joseph  Smith,  by  request  of  some 
of  the  twelve,  gave  instructions  on  the  doctrine. 

"  The  speaker  presented  '  baptism  for  the 
dead,'  as  the  only  way  that  men  can  appear  as 
saviours  on  Mount  Zion. 

"  There  is  a  way  to  release  the  spirit  of  the 
dead  ;  that  is,  by  the  power  and  authority  of  the 
priesthood — by  binding  and  loosing  on  earth. 

"  This  doctrine  appears  glorious,  inasmuch 
as  it  exhibits  the  greatness  of  divine  compas- 
sion and  benevolence  in  the  extent  of  the  plan 
of  human  salvation.  This  glorious  truth  is  well 
calculated  to  enlarge  the  understanding,  and  to 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     247 

sustain  the  soul  under  troubles,  difficulties,  and 
distresses. 

"  For  illustration  the  speaker  presented,  by 
supposition,  the  case  of  two  men,  brothers, 
equally  intelligent,  learned,  virtuous,  and  lovely, 
walking  in  uprightness  and  all  good  conscience, 
so  far  as  they  had  been  able  to  discern  duty 
from  the  muddy  stream  of  tradition,  or  from 
the  blotted  page  of  the  book  of  nature.  One 
dies,  and  is  buried,  having  never  heard  the  gos- 
pel of  reconciliation  :  to  the  other  the  message 
of  salvation  is  sent,  he  hears  and  embraces  it, 
and  is  made  the  heir  of  eternal  life.  Shall 
the  one  become  a  partaker  of  glory,  and  the 
other  be  consigned  to  hopeless  perdition  ?  Is 
there  no  chance  for  his  escape  ?  Sectarianism 
answers,  '  None  !  none  !  none  !'  Such  an  idea 
is  worse  than  atheism.  The  truth  shall  break 
down  and  dash  in  pieces  all  such  bigoted  Pha- 
risaism ;  the  sects  shall  be  sifted,  the  honest  in 
heart  brought  out,  and  their  priests  left  in  the 
midst  of  their  corruption.  The  speaker  then 
answered  the  objections  urged  against  the  Lat- 
ter-day Saints,  for  not  admitting  the  validity  of 
sectarian  baptism,  and  for  withholding  fellow- 
ship from  sectarian  churches.  It  was  like  put- 
ting new  wine  into  old  bottles,  and  putting  old 
wine  into  new  bottles.  What !  new  revelations 
in  the  old  churches!  New  revelations  knock 
out  the  bottom  of  their  bottomless  pit.  New 
wine  into  old  bottles  !  the  bottles  burst  and  the 
wine  runs  out.  What !  Sadducees  in  the  new 
church  !  Old  wine  in  new  leathern  bottles  will 


248     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

leak  through  the  pores  and  escape ;  so  the  Sad- 
ducee  saints  mock  at  authority,  kick  out  of  the 
traces,  and  run  to  the  mountains  of  perdition, 
leaving  the  long  echo  of  their  braying  behind 
them. 

"  This  doctrine,  he  said,  presented  in  a  clear 
light  the  wisdom  and  mercy  of  God,  in  pre- 
paring an  ordinance  for  the  salvation  of  the 
dead,  being  baptized  by  proxy,  their  names  re- 
corded in  heaven,  and  they  judged  according 
to  the  deeds  done  in  the  body.  This  doctrine 
was  the  burden  of  the  Scriptures.  Those  saints 
who  neglect  it,  in  behalf  of  their  deceased  rela- 
tives, do  it  at  the  PERIL  OF  THEIR  OWN  SALVA- 
TION ! 

"  The  speaker  then  announced, '  There  shall 
be  no  more  baptisms  for  the  dead,  until  the  or- 
dinance can  be  attended  to  in  the  font  of  the 
Lord's  house ;  and  the  church  shall  not  hold 
another  general  conference  until  they  can  meet 
in  said  house.  For  thus  saith  the  Lord  /" 

This  doctrine  is  summed  up  in  the  following 
poetry,  which  will  probably  be  entitled  to  a 
place  in  the  next  edition  of  the  "  Latter-day 
Saints'  Hymns :" — 

BAPTISM  FOR   THE    DEAD. 

By  J.  H.  Johnson. 

"  Else  what  shall  they  do  who  are  baptized  for  the  dead 
if  the  dead  rise  not  at  all  1  Why  then  are  they  baptized 
for  the  dead?' 

The  glorious  gospel  light  has  shone 

In  this  the  latter  day, 
With  such  intelligence  that  none 
From  truth  need  turn  away. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     249 

For  'mong  things  which  have  been  sealed, 

And  from  the  world  kept  hid  ; 
The  Lord  has  to  his  saints  revealed, 

As  anciently  he  did. 

And  through  the  priesthood  now  restored, 

Has  e'en  prepared  the  way, 
Through  which  the  dead  may  hear  his  word, 

And  all  its  truths  obey. 

As  Christ  to  spirits  went  to  preach, 

Who  were  in  prison  laid  ; 
So  many  saints  have  gone  to  teach 

The  gospel  to  the  dead. 

And  we  for  them  can  be  baptized ; 

Yes,  for  our  friends  most  dear  ! 
That  they  can  with  the  just  be  raised, 

When  Gabriel's  trump  they  hear. 

That  they  may  come  with  Christ  again, 

When  he  to  earth  descends  ; 
A  thousand  years  with  him  to  reign, 

And  with  their  earthly  friends. 

Now,  O  !  ye  saints,  rejoice  to-day, 

That  you  can  saviours  be, 
For  all  your  dead  who  will  obey 

The  gospel  and  be  free. 

Then  let  us  rise  without  restraint, 

And  act  for  those  we  love  ; 
For  they  are  giving  their  consent, 

And  wait  for  us  to  move. 

Now  if  the  reader  will  refer  back  to  the  re- 
velation copied  on  pages  167-181,  he  will  see 
that  the  great  argument  made  use  of  in  urging 
forward  the  construction  of  the  temple,  was 
that  there  may  be  prepared  a  baptismal  font, 
which  the  saints  may  enter  in  behalf  of  their 
dead  relations.  It  is  then  threatened,  that  im- 


250     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

less  the  Mormons  build  such  a  house  in  the 
course  of  a  sufficient  time,  they  shall  be  rejected 
as  a  church,  with  their  dead  :  yet  it  expressly 
says,  "  during  this  time  your  baptisms  shall  be 
acceptable." 

It  would  appear  that  the  work  of  building  did 
not  go  on  fast  enough  to  suit  Smith,  notwith- 
standing he  had  declared  to  his  elders,  that 
"  labour  on  the  temple  would  be  as  acceptable 
to  the  Lord  as  preaching  the  gospel." 

So  in  the  October  conference,  having  de- 
claimed at  length  upon  baptism  for  the  dead, 
and  instructed  the  saints  not  to  neglect  it,  on 
peril  of  their  own  salvation,  "  the  speaker  an- 
nounced, '  There  shall  be  no  more  baptisms  for 
the  dead,  until  the  ordinance  can  be  attended 
to  in  the  font  of  the  Lord's  house  ;  and  the 
church  shall  not  hold  another  general  confer- 
ence until  they  can  meet  in  said  house.  For 
thus  saith  the  Lord  /'  " 

No  person  would  be  so  inconsistent  as  to 
suppose  that  such  a  wondrous  edifice  as  a  Mor- 
mon temple  could  be  built  in  less  time  than 
several  years  ;  especially  considering  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  builders.  But  notwithstand- 
ing "  sufficient  time"  had  been  promised,  and 
that  in  print ;  yet  in  his  eagerness  to  push  on 
the  work,  this  soi  disant  revelator  barely  suffers 
nine  months  to  elapse  from  the  date  of  the  pre- 
vious revelation,  before  he  brings  out  another 
positively  contradicting  it.  Verily  that  man's 
conscience  must  be  "  seared  with  a  hot  iron" 
who  can  thus  presume  "  to  make  God  a  liar." 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     251 

All  this  merchandise  of  souls  is  for  the  sake 
of  money,  to  build  a  monument  to  Mormon  am- 
bition ! 

Here  apparently  is  an  attempted  parallel  to  the 
course  of  Pope  Leo  X.,  who  for  the  sake  of  mo- 
ney to  finish  the  church  of  St.  Peter,  at  Rome, 
promoted  to  an  unusual  extent  the  sale  of  in- 
dulgences, by  which  the  souls  of  dead  relations 
might  be  delivered  from  purgatory.  The  per- 
fidious avarice  of  Tetzel,  the  commissioner  of 
these  indulgences  in  Germany,  aroused  the 
energies  of  Luther,  and  hastened  the  Reforma- 
tion. May  the  course  pursued  by  the  would-be 
pope  of  Nauvoo  be  productive  of  an  equally  hap- 
py effect  among  the  Mormons  ! 

We  will  close  this  exposition  of  the  religious 
(irreligious)  peculiarities  of  Mormonism,  by 
showing  that  a  public  violation  of  the  sabbath 
is  countenanced  among  them. 

Extract  of  "  Minutes  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter- 
day  Saints,  held  in  Nauvoo,  Oct.  3d,  1840  : 

"Sunday  morning. — Conference  met  pursuant 
to  adjournment,  and  was  opened  by  prayer  by 
Elder  Babbit. 

"  The  clerk  was  then  called  upon  to  read  the 
report  of  the  presidency,  in  relation  to  the  city 
plot ;  after  which  the  president  made  some  ob- 
servations on  the  situation  of  the  debts  on  the 
city  plot,  and  advised  that  a  committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  raise  funds  to  liquidate  the  same. 

"  On  motion,  resolved,  that  William  Marks 
and  Hyrum  Smith  compose  said  committee. 


252    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

"  On  motion,  resolved,  that  a  committee  be 
appointed  to  draft  a  bill  for  the  incorporating  of 
the  town  of  Nauvoo,  and  other  purposes. 

"  Resolved,  that  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  Dr.  J.  C. 
Bennett,  and  R.  B.  Thompson,  compose  said 
committee. 

"  Resolved,  that  Dr.  J.  C.  Bennett  be  ap- 
pointed delegate  to  Springfield,  to  urge  the  pas- 
sage of  the  said  bill  through  the  legislature." 

"  City  of  Nauvoo,  May  6,  1841. 
"  To  the  Editors  of  the  Times  and  Seasons. 

"  GENTLEMEN, — I  wish,  through  the  medium 
of  your  paper,  to  make  known,  that  on  Sunday 
last  I  had  the  honour  of  receiving  a  visit  from 
the  Hon.  Stephen  A.  Douglass,  justice  of  the 
supreme  court,  and  judge  of  the  fifth  judi- 
cial circuit  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  and  Cyrus 
Walker,  Esq.,  of  Macomb,  who  expressed  great 
pleasure  in  visiting  our  city,  and  were  aston- 
ished at  the  ^improvements  which  were  made. 
They  were  officially  introduced  to  the  congre- 
gation who  had  assembled  on  the  meeting 
ground,  by  the  mayor ;  and  they  severally  ad- 
dressed the  assembly. 

"  I  am,  very  respectfully,  yours,  &c., 

"  JOSEPH  SMITH." 

It  is  no  new  thing  to  have  evidence,  that 
many  political  men  in  our  country  will  not 
hesitate  to  profane  the  Lord's  day,  when  they 
imagine  that  either  their  interests  or  their  plea- 
sures may  be  promoted  by  its  profanation.  But 
that  any  body  of  professedly  religious  people 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     253 

would  countenance  such  proceedings,  must 
cause  astonishment  to  any,  not  aware  that  there 
is  in  existence  a  body  of  professedly  religious 
teachers,  who  in  a  conference  capacity  do  not 
scruple  to  transact  secular  business  on  the  sab- 
bath !  That  the  Mormons  were  thus  called  out 
to  listen  to  the  harangues  of  political  dema- 
gogues on  the  sabbath  day,  their  prophet  pub- 
licly boasts,  glorying  in  the  common  shame ! 


CHAPTER  XIY. 

Relation  of  Mormonism  to  Christianity — Glance  at  the 
Book  of  Mormon — New  and  improved  edition — Author 
and  proprietor  becomes  translator — Chronology — A  brass 
ball — Miraculous  navigation — Narrative— Antecedent  voy- 
age— Bloody  wars — Antiquities  of  Central  America  in 
proof  of  Mormonism — Colour  of  the  Indians  accounted 
for. 

THE  whole  system  of  Mormonism  owes  its 
origin,  and  the  church  of  Latter-day  Saints  its 
existence,  to  the  Book  of  Mormon  and  the  fable 
of  a  Golden  Bible.  Why  do  the  Mormons  be- 
come ashamed  of  this  ?  Why  desire  to  con- 
struct their  system  upon  any  other  than  its  pro- 
per foundation  ?  This  very  circumstance  is 
suspicious,  betraying  as  it  does  a  consciousness 
that  truth  is  lacking  for  its  support. 

We  are  now  prepared  to  ask  men  or  angels, 
to  show  a  baser  perversion  of  Scripture,  or  of 
Christian  principles,  than  that  by  which  they 


254     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

are  brought,  to  the  aid  of  Mormonism — a  sys- 
tem of  infidelity — a  scheme  of  deception. 

But  we  are  told  that  the  Book  of  Mormon 
proves  the  truth  of  the  Bible.  That  we  deny. 
No  such  proof  is  wanting.  The  truth  of  the 
Bible  has  been  irrefragibly  demonstrated  for 
centuries.  Yet  we  allow  that  additional  evi- 
dences of  the  divine  inspiration  of  that  book  are 
continually  accumulating.  Nor  is  it  the  least, 
though  it  be  the  last  instance  of  this  kind  which 
has  occurred  in  connection  with  Mormonism, 
and  is  found  in  the  terms  in  which  the  charac- 
ter of  false  prophets  was  delineated,  Jeremiah 
xxiii,  22  ;  and  also  in  the  portraiture  of  those 
who  in  the  latter  times  should  depart  from  the 
faith,  giving  heed  to  seducing  spirits.  Vid.  1  Tim. 
iv,  1;  1  John  ii,  18. 

There  is  nothing  in  the  origin  of  the  Book 
of  Mormon,  or  in  the  agency  by  which  it  was 
brought  to  light,  calculated  to  excite  high  ex- 
pectation on  the  part  of  the  intelligent  reader. 
Nevertheless,  we  will  now  inquire  into  its  in- 
trinsic merits.  Surely  this  is  no  ordinary  task  : 
the  examination  of  a  book,  purporting  not  only 
to  have  been  inspired,  but  also  "hid  up"  in  a  mi- 
raculous manner,  and  at  length  revealed  by  the 
power  of  God. 

We  open  the  volume,  we  glance  the  eye  over 
its  pages,  and  what  do  we  find  ?  The  plain 
and  convincing  narrative  of  the  sacred  histori- 
ans ?  The  sublime  and  soul-inspiring  diction 
of  the  Psalmist  and  the  prophets  ?  The  profound 
doctrines  and  moving  appeals  of  the  apostles  ? 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    255 

Passages  we  indeed  find  that  are  worthy  of  an 
inspired  pen.  But  they  have  been  introduced 
by  the  hand  of  the  miserable  plagiarist,  who 
not  only  had  the  audacity  to  plunder  them  from 
the  sacred  and  living  oracles  for  his  own  vile 
purposes,  but  also  the  unaccountable  stupidity 
to  place  them  without  acknowledgment  in  con- 
nection, and  therefore  in  contrast,  with  the  piti- 
ful productions  of  his  own  pen.  All  save  these 
sacrilegious  plagiarisms  bears  the  indelible 
stamp  of  puerility,  as  well  as  of  an  unculti- 
vated taste  and  a  wicked  heart.  Not  even  the 
most  wretched  novel  of  modern  times  betrays 
so  perfect  a  destitution  of  inventive  power  in  its 
writer ;  so  complete  an  inability  to  perceive, 
and  to  conceal,  its  own  inconsistencies.  In- 
deed, if  we  can  attribute  any  prevailing  ob- 
ject to  the  writer  of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  it 
must  have  been  that  of  heaping  together  such 
a  chaos  of  disconnected  absurdities  as  would 
defy  analysis  and  refutation.  But  even  in 
this  he  has  made  a  failure,  as  will  presently 
appear. 

It  is  matter  of  gratification  that  we  have  be- 
fore us  a  "  carefully  revised  edition"  of  this 
work,  one  which  bears  evidence  of  considera- 
ble improvement  upon  the  first.  Although  we 
are  still  shocked  with  outrages  upon  grammar, 
and  barbarisms  in  style,  that  glare  forth  on  al- 
most every  page,  yet  we  congratulate  ourselves 
that  we  are  delivered  from  reviewing  a  less  per- 
fect copy.  To  show  that  this  is  not  exaggera 
tion,  we  will  merely  hint  at  the  improvements 


256     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

manifest  in  the  title-page.  Whereas  the  first 
and  second  editions  gave  the  preface  to  the 
book  jumbled  up  between  its  title  and  the  name 
of  its  publishers,  the  third  arranges  the  preface 
on  a  separate  page  secundem  artem.  Whereas 
before  the  preface  said,  "  And  now  if  there  be 
fault,  it  be  the  mistake  of  men  ;"  it  now  reads  as 
amended,  "  if  there  are  faults,  they  are  the  mis- 
takes of  men."  Another  striking  alteration  has 
been  made  on  the  title-page,  which  we  should 
not  hesitate  to  pronounce  an  improvement,  did 
we  not  prefer  to  witness  an  abandonment  of 
good  taste  rather  than  a  violation  of  truth.  The 
alteration  is  this ;  instead  of  "  Joseph  Smith,  Jr., 
author  and  proprietor,"  as  in  the  first  edition, 
we  now  have,  "translated  by  Joseph  Smith,  Jr." 
The  following  is  the  authorized  and  current 
eulogium,  which  the  Mormons  use  respecting 
this  book : — 

"  It  opens  the  events  of  ancient  America.  It 
pours  a  flood  of  light  upon  the  world  on  sub- 
jects before  concealed — upon  the  history  of  a 
nation  whose  remnants  have  long  since  dwind- 
led into  insignificance  in  midnight  darkness, 
and  whose  former  greatness  was  lost  in  obli- 
vion, or  only  known  by  the  remains  of  cities, 
palaces,  temples,  aqueducts,  monuments,  tow- 
ers, fortifications,  unintelligible  inscriptions, 
sepulchres,  and  bones.  The  slumber  of  ages 
has  now  been  broken.  The  dark  curtain  of  the 
past  has  been  rolled  up.  The  veil  of  obscurity 
has  been  removed,  as  regards  the  world  called 
new.  The  ancient  events  of  America  now 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     257 

stand  revealed  in  the  broad  light  of  history,  as 
far  back,  at  least,  as  the  first  peopling  of  the 
continent  after  the  flood.  This  discovery  will 
yet  be  hailed  among  all  nations  as  among  the 
most  glorious  events  of  the  latter  times,  and  as 
one  of  the  principal  means  of  overwhelming  the 
earth  with  knowledge." 

P.P.  Pratt  says,  on  the  issue  of  the  English 
edition  of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  it  "  is  in  re- 
ality of  more  value  to  them  [the  public]  than  all 
the  gold  and  silver  of  England."  "  I  repeat  the 
declaration,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  that  a 
knowledge  of  things  contained  in  this  record  is 
of  more  value  to  every  one  than  the  gold  and 
silver  of  Europe." 

Perhaps  a  reperusal  of  the  summary  of  con- 
tents, which  we  gave  on  a  preceding  page,  will 
be  of  service  to  the  reader,  before  proceeding 
with  us  to  inquire  WHAT  LIGHT  is  thrown  by 
this  work  upon  the  first  settlement  of  the  west- 
ern world,  or  its  early  inhabitants. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  the  "  Manuscript 
Found"  was  expressly  designed  to  account  for 
certain  unexplained  facts  connected  with  this 
subject.  We  could  haye  hoped  that  a  person 
making  this  his  especial  theme  would  arrive 
at  some  results  beyond  the  common  vague  no- 
tions that  generally  prevail  respecting  it. 

The  first  book  of  Nephi  gives  us  the  only 
positive  date  of  time  and  place  contained  in  the 
whole  work.  Fortunately  the  place  is  not  an 
obscure  one,  and  the  time  is  so  well  defined  in 
various  kinds  of  history,  that  no  one  can  lack 
17 


258     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

data  for  either  verifying  or  disproving  the  entire 
narrative  of  the  Book  of  Mormon. 
Let  us  hear  the  author : — 

"  I,  Nephi,  having  been  born  of  goodly  parents, 
therefore  I  was  taught  somewhat  in  all  the  learning 
of  my  father  ;  and  having  seen  many  afflictions  in 
the  course  of  my  days — nevertheless  having  been 
highly  favoured  of  the  Lord  in  all  my  days ;  yea, 
having  had  a  great  knowledge  of  the  goodness  and 
the  mysteries  of  God,  therefore  I  make  a  record  of 
my  proceedings  in  my  days ;  yea,  I  make  a  record 
in  the  language  of  my  father,  which  consists  of  the 
learning  of  the  Jews  and  the  language  of  the  Egyp- 
tians. And  I  know  that  the  record  which  I  make  is 
true ;  and  I  make  it  with  mine  own  hand ;  and  I 
make  it  according  to  my  knowledge. 

"  For  it  came  to  pass,  in  the  commencement  of 
the  first  year  of  the  reign  of  Zedekiah,  king  of  Judah, 
(my  father  Lehi  having  dwrelt  at  Jerusalem  in  all  his 
days ;)  and  in  that  same  year  there  came  many  pro- 
phets, prophesying  unto  the  people,  that  they  must  re- 
pent, or  the  great  city,  Jerusalem,  must  be  destroyed. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  commanded 
my  father,  even  in  a  dream,  that  he  should  take  his 
family  and  depart  into  the  wilderness.  And  it  came 
to  pass  that  he  was  obedient  unto  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  wherefore  he  did  as  the  Lord  commanded  him. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  departed  into  the 
wilderness.  And  he  left  his  house,  and  the  land  of 
his  inheritance,  and  his  gold,  and  his  silver,  and  his 
precious  things,  and  took  nothing  with  him  save  it 
were  his  family,  and  provisions,  and  tents,  and  de- 
parted into  the  wilderness ;  and  he  came  down  by 
the  borders  near  the  shore  of  the  Red  Sea;  and  he 
travelled  in  the  wilderness  in  the  borders  which  are 
nearer  the  Red  Sea. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    259 

"And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  he  had  travelled  three 
days  in  the  wilderness,  he  pitched  his  tent  in  a  valley 
by  the  side  of  a  river  of  water.  And  it  came  to  pass 
that  he  built  an  altar  of  stones,  and  made  an  offering 
unto  the  Lord,  and  gave  thanks  unto  the  Lord  oar 
God.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  called  the  name 
of  the  river  Laman,  and  it  emptied  into  the  Red  Sea ; 
and  the  valley  was  in  the  border  near  the  mouth 
thereof. 

"And  when  my  father  saw  that  the  waters  of  the 
river  emptied  into  the  fountain  of  the  Red  Sea,  he 
spake  unto  Laman,  saying,  O  that  thou  mightest  be 
like  unto  this  river,  continually  running  into  the  foun- 
tain of  all  righteousness.  Now  this  he  spake  be- 
cause of  the  stiff-neckedness  of  Laman  and  Lemuel, 
for  behold  they  did  murmur  in  many  things  against 
their  father,  because  he  was  a  visionary  man,  and 
had  led  them  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem,  to  leave 
the  land  of  their  inheritance,  and  their  gold,  and  their 
silver,  and  their  precious  things,  to  perish  in  the  wil- 
derness." 

After  about  thirty  pages  occupied  in  detailing 
the  speeches  and  dreams  of  this  visionary  man, 
Lehi,  and  his  equally  visionary  son  Nephi  ;  we 
are  made  acquainted  with  the  discovery  of  a 
miraculous  something,  generally  supposed  to 
have  been  a  compass.  "  And  it  came  to  pass 
that  as  my  father  arose  in  the  morning,  and  went 
forth  to  the  tent  door,  to  his  great  astonishment, 
he  beheld  on  the  ground  a  round  ball,  of  curious 
workmanship,  and  it  was  of  fine  brass.  And 
within  the  ball  were  two  spindles  :  and  the  one 
pointed  the  way  whither  we  should  go  into  the 
wilderness." 

The  expressiveness  of  the  above  description 


260    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

has  brought  to  our  mind  a  passage  in  the  travels 
of  Captain  Lemuel  Gulliver,  who,  having  been 
so  unfortunate  as  to  lose  his  HAT  when  cast 
upon  the  shores  of  Lilliput,  while  yet  detained 
as  a  prisoner  by  the  emperor  of  that  country, 
was  made  glad  at  heart  by  the  following  intel- 
ligence : — 

"  There  arrived  an  express  to  inform  his  ma- 
jesty, that  some  of  his  subjects  riding  near  the 
place  where  I  was  first  taken  up,  had  seen  a 
great  black  substance  lying  on  the  ground,  very 
oddly  shaped,  extending  its  edges  round  as 
wide  as  his  majesty's  bed  chamber,  and  rising 
up  in  the  middle  as  high  as  a  man  ;  that  it  was 
no  living  creature  as  they  at  first  apprehended, 
for  it  lay  on  the  grass  without  motion  ;  and 
some  of  them  had  w-alked  round  it  several 
times ;  that  by  mounting  upon  each  other's 
shoulders,  they  had  got  to  the  top,  which  was 
flat  and  even,  and  stamping  upon  it  they  found 
that  it  was  hollow  within." 

The  discovery  of  his  hat  was  not  a  matter  of 
greater  moment  to  Captain  Gulliver,  than  was 
the  possession  of  the  ball  and  the  spindles  to 
our  adventurers  in  the  following  journeys  and 
voyages. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  take  our  tents, 
and  depart  in  the  wilderness,  across  the  river  Laman. 
And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  travelled  for  the  space 
of  four  days,  nearly  a  south  southeast  direction,  and 
we  did  pitch  our  tents  again  ;  and  we  did  call  the 
name  of  the  place  Shazer. 

"  And  we  did  go  forth  again,  in  the  wilderness 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     261 

following  the  same  direction,  keeping  in  the  most  fer- 
tile parts  of  the  wilderness,  which  were  in  the  borders 
near  the  Red  Sea.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did 
travel  for  the  space  of  many  days,  slaying  food  by 
the  way,  with  our  bows  and  our  arrows,  and  our  stones 
and  our  slings ;  and  we  did  follow  the  directions  of 
the  ball,  which  led  us  in  the  more  fertile  parts  of  the 
wilderness.  And  after  we  had  travelled  for  the  space 
of  many  days,  we  did  pitch  our  tents  for  the  space  of 
a  time,  that  we  might  again  rest  ourselves,  and  obtain 
food  for  our  families. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  beheld  the 
pointers  which  were  in  the  ball,  that  they  did  work 
according  to  the  faith,  and  diligence,  and  heed,  which 
we  did  give  unto  them.  And  there  was  also  written 
upon  them  a  new  writing,  which  was  plain  to  be  read, 
which  did  give  us  understanding  concerning  the  ways 
of  the  Lord  :  and  it  was  written  and  changed  from 
time  to  time,  according  to  the.  faith  and  diligence 
which  we  gave  unto  it.  And  thus  we  see,  that  by 
small  means,  the  Lord  can  bring  about  great  things. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  again  take  our 
journey  in  the  wilderness  ;  and  we  did  travel  nearly 
eastward,  from  that  time  forth. 

"  And  we  did  sojourn  for  the  space  of  many  years, 
yea,  even  eight  years  in  the  wilderness.  And  we 
did  come  to  the  land  which  we  called  Bountiful,  be- 
cause of  its  much  fruit,  and  also  wild  honey  ;  and  all 
these  things  were  prepared  of  the  Lord,  that  we 
might  not  perish.  And  we  beheld  the  sea,  which  we 
called  Irreantum,  which,  being  interpreted,  is  many 
waters. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  pitch  our  tents 
by  the  sea  shore  ;  and  notwithstanding  we  had  suf- 
fered many  afflictions,  and  much  difficulty,  yea,  even 
so  much  that  we  cannot  write  them  all,  we  were  ex- 
ceedingly rejoiced  when  we  came  to  the  sea  shore ; 


262    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

and  we  called  the  place  Bountiful,  because  of  its  much 
fruit. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  spake  unto  me, 
saying,  Thou  shalt  construct  a  ship,  after  the  manner 
which  I  shall  shew  thee,  that  I  may  carry  thy  people 
across  these  waters.  And  I  said,  Lord,  whither 
shall  I  go,  that  I  may  find  ore  to  molten,  that  I  may 
make  tools  to  construct  the  ship,  after  the  manner 
which  thou  hast  shewn  unto  me  1  And  it  came  to 
pass  that  the  Lord  told  me  whither  I  should  go  to 
find  ore,  that  I  might  make  tools. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  did  make  a 
bellows  wherewith  to  blow  the  fire,  of  the  skins  of 
beasts  :  and  after  I  had  made  a  bellows,  that  I  might 
have  wherewith  to  blow  the  fire,  I  did  smite  two 
stones  together,  that  I  might  make  fire  ;  for  the  Lord 
had  not  hitherto  suffered  that  we  should  make  much 
fire,  as  we  journeyed  in  the  wilderness. 

"  And  it  came  to  .pass  that  I  did  make  tools  of  the 
ore  which  I  did  molten  out  of  the  rock.  And  when 
my  brethren  saw  that  I  was  about  to  build  a  ship, 
they  began  to  murmur  against  me,  saying,  Our  bro- 
ther is  a  fool,  for  he  thinketh  that  he  can  build  a  ship  : 
yea,  and  he  also  thinketh  that  he  can  cross  these 
great  waters.  And  thus  my  brethren  did  complain 
against  me,  and  were  desirous  that  they  might  not 
labour,  for  they  did  not  believe  that  I  could  build  a 
ship  :  neither  would  they  believe  that  I  was  instruct- 
ed of  the  Lord. 

"  Now  I,  Nephi,  did  not  work  the  timbers  after  the 
manner  which  was  learned  by  men,  neither  did  I 
build  the  ship  after  the  manner  of  men ;  but  I  did 
build  it  after  the  manner  which  the  Lord  had  shewn 
unto  me ;  wherefore,  it  was  not  after  the  manner  of 
men. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  I  had  finished  the 
ship,  according  to  the  word  of  the  Lord,  my  brethren 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     263 

beheld  that  it  was  good,  and  that  the  workmanship 
thereof  was  exceeding  fine ;  wherefore,  they  did 
humble  themselves  again  before  the  Lord. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  voice  of  the  Lord 
came  unto  my  father,  that  we  should  arise  and  go 
down  into  the  ship.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  on  the 
morrow,  after  we  had  prepared  all  things,  much  fruits 
and  meat  from  the  wilderness,  and  honey  in  abun- 
dance, and  provisions,  according  to  that  which  the 
Lord  had  commanded  us,  we  did  go  down  into  the 
ship  with  all  our  loading  and  our  seeds,  and  whatso- 
,  ever  thing  we  had  brought  with  us,  every  one  accord- 
ing to  his  age  ;  wherefore,  we  did  go  down  into  the 
ship,  with  our  wives  and  our  children. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  after  we  had  all  gone  down 
into  the  ship,  and  had  taken  with  us  our  provisions 
and  things  which  had  been  commanded  us,  we  did 
put  forth  into  the  sea,  and  were  driven  forth  before 
the  wind,  toward  the  promised  land  ;  and  after  we 
had  been  driven  forth  before  the  wind,  for  the  space 
of  many  days,  behold  my  brethren,  and  the  sons  of 
Ishmael,  and  also  their  wives,  began  to  make  them- 
selves merry,  insomuch  that  they  began  to  dance,  and 
to  sing,  and  to  speak  with  much  rudeness  ;  yea,  even 
that  they  did  forget  by  what  power  they  had  been 
brought  thither  ;  yea,  they  were  lifted  up  unto  ex- 
ceeding rudeness. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Laman  and  Lemuel  did 
take  me  and  bind  me  with  cords,  and  they  did  treat 
me  with  much  harshness. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  they  had  bound 
me,  insomuch  that  I  could  not  move,  the  compass, 
which  had  been  prepared  of  the  Lord,  did  cease  to 
work  ;  wherefore,  they  knew  not  whither  they  should 
steer  the  ship,  insomuch  that  there  arose  a  great 
storm,  yea,  a  great  and  terrible  tempest;  and  we 
were  driven  back  upon  the  waters  for  the  space  of 


264    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

three  days ;  and  they  began  to  be  frightened  exceed- 
ingly, lest  they  should  be  drowned  in  the  sea :  never- 
theless, they  did  not  loose  me.  And  on  the  fourth 
day  which  we  had  been  driven  back,  the  tempest  be- 
gan to  be  exceeding  sore. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  were  about  to  be 
swallowed  up  in  the  depths  of  the  sea.  And  after 
we  had  been  driven  back  upon  the  waters  for  the 
space  of  four  days,  my  brethren  began  to  see  that  the 
judgments  of  God  were  upon  them,  and  that  they 
must  perish,  save  that  they  should  repent  of  their  in- 
iquities ;  wherefore,  they  came  unto  me  and  loosed 
the  bands  which  were  upon  my  wrists,  and  behold, 
they  had  swollen  exceedingly  ;  and  also  mine  ankles 
were  much  swollen,  and  great  was  the  soreness 
thereof. 

"  Now,  my  father  Lehi  had  said  many  things  unto 
them,  and  also  unto  the  sons  of  Ishmael ;  but,  behold, 
they  did  breathe  out  much  threatenings  against  any 
one  that  should  speak  for  me  ;  and  my  parents  being 
stricken  in  years,  and  having  suffered  much  grief  be- 
cause of  their  children,  they  were  brought  down,  yea, 
even  upon  their  sick  beds.  Because  of  their  grief, 
and  much  sorrow,  and  the  iniquity  of  my  brethren, 
they  were  brought  near  even  to  be  carried  out  of  this 
time,  to  meet  their  God  ;  yea,  their  grey  hairs  were 
about  to  be  brought  down  to  lie  low  in  the  dust ;  yea, 
even  they  were  near  to  be  cast,  with  sorrow,  into  a 
watery  grave. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  after  they  had  loosed  me, 
behold,  I  took  the  compass,  and  it  did  work  whither 
I  desired  it.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  prayed  unto 
the  Lord ;  and  after  I  had  prayed,  the  winds  did  cease, 
and  the  storm  did  cease,  and  there  was  a  great  calm. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  did  guide  the 
ship,  that  we  sailed  again  toward  the  promised  land. 
And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  we  had  sailed  for  the 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     265 

space  of  many  days,  we  did  arrive  to  the  promised 
land  ;  and  we  went  forth  upon  the  land,  and  did  pitch 
our  tents ;  and  we  did  call  it  the  promised  land. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  find  upon  the 
land  of  promise,  as  we  journeyed  in  the  wilderness, 
that  there  were  beasts  in  the  forests  of  every  kind, 
both  the  cow  and  the  ox,  and  the  ass,  and  the  horse, 
and  the  goat,  and  the  wild  goat,  and  all  manner  of 
wild  animals,  which  were  for  the  use  of  men.  And 
we  did  find  all  manner  of  ore,  both  of  gold,  and  of  sil- 
ver, and  of  copper." 

Verily  here  is  multum  in  parvo !  What  a 
model  for  future  travellers !  Captain  Gulliver 
can  no  longer  be  considered  as  the  standard  of 
excellence  in  this  species  of  writing.  In  order 
fully  to  appreciate  the  beauties,  as  well  as  the 
consistency,  of  this  narrative,  let  us  turn  to  an 
approved  map  of  Palestine,  and  the  adjoining 
countries. 

On  the  supposition  that  the  Lord  was  actu- 
ally about  to  people  the  western  continent  by 
means  of  this  family,  the  first  query  that  arises 
is,  why  were  they  not  directed  to  the  Mediterra- 
nean Sea,  which  was  so  near  Jerusalem,  instead 
of  being  made  to  perform  the  long  and  perilous 
journey  to  the  borders  of  the  Red  Sea  ?  more 
especially  since  the  voyage  through  the  former 
would  have  been  shorter  by  six  or  seven  thou- 
sand miles,  (no  trifling  distance,)  than  the  one 
performed  according  to  the  data  given.  An 
easterly  course  from  the  borders  of  the  Red  Sea 
would  have  taken  them  across  the  Desert  of 
Arabia  to  the  Persian  Gulf. 

Without  discussing  the  practicability  of  these 


266     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

persons  securing,  by  means  of  the  bow  and 
arrow,  in  such  a  region,  not  only  their  daily 
food,  but  also  the  stores  necessary  for  a  long 
voyage  at  sea,  we  will  suppose  them  all  duly 
embarked  on  board  the  ship,  miraculously  con- 
structed by  one  man,  while  his  brothers  were 
wasting  their  time  in  idleness. 

We  now  feel  some  curiosity  to  know  whether 
the  vessel  was  navigated  by  sails,  by  steam,  or 
by  magnetic  power.  In  the  absence  of  all  posi- 
tive information,  we  observe  that,  different  from 
most  vessels  at  sea,  she  was  driven  before  the 
wind  on  her  direct  course,  until,  through  the 
exceeding  wickedness  of  the  brethren  of  Nephi, 
"  the  compass  did  cease  to  work,  wherefore,  they 
knew  not  whither  they  should  steer  the  ship, 
insomuch  that  there  arose  a  great  storm,  yea,  a 
great  and  a  terrible  tempest."  What  a  pity  our 
author  had  not  employed  himself  in  noting  his 
courses  and  distances,  instead  of  describing  the 
swellings  of  his  wrists  and  ankles,  and  "  the 
great  soreness  thereof!"  The  world  would  have 
placed  more  value  upon  the  simple  log-book  of 
such  a  voyage,  than  it  ever  will  upon  the  Book 
of  Mormon  as  we  have  it.  After  all,  it  appears 
that  the  compass  was  of  no  value,  for  "  it  did 
work  whither  I  [Nephi]  desired  it."  Hence  he 
might  have  steered  the  ship  whither  he  desired, 
just  as  well  without  the  compass.  What  a  fund 
of  knowledge  this  individual  possessed !  He 
must  either  have  known  how  to  sail  directly 
over  such  continents  and  islands  as  lay  between 
him  and  his  destination,  or  have  been  so  ac- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    267 

quainted  with  their  latitude  and  longitude,  as  to 
know  how  to  avoid  them.  In  either  case,  he 
was  quite  in  advance  of  his  times  !  The  same 
explicitness  of  detail,  which  characterizes  the 
journal  of  the  voyage,  prevails  in  the  descrip- 
tion of  the  country  upon  which  he  landed. 
"  And  it  came  to  pass  after  we  had  sailed  for 
the  space  of  many  days,  we  did  arrive  to  the 
promised  land ;  and  we  went  forth  upon  the 
land,  and  did  pitch  our  tents,  and  we  did  call 
it  the  promised  land." 

About  five  hundred  pages  of  this  precious 
record  are  now  devoted  to  the  history  of  this 
people,  called  a  remnant  of  Joseph.  Through- 
out the  whole  there  prevails  a  perspicuity  of 
style  fully  in  keeping  with  the  above  examples, 
although  some  of  the  details  are  less  credible. 

We  submit  a  condensed  view  of  the  whole, 
in  the  language  of  O.  Pratt,  professor  of  mathe- 
matics and  English  literature  in  the  Nauvoo 
University,  who,  by  some  means,  has  discover- 
ed that  the  voyage  above  alluded  to  was  made 
across  the  Pacific  Ocean,  terminating  on  the 
western  coast  of  South  America. 

Taking  all  manner  of  liberties  with  the  text, 
this  gentleman  has  done  the  very  best  toward 
making  out  an  intelligible  narrative  from  the 
Book  of  Mormon.  The  reader  will  therefore 
please  respect  the  following  extract  as  the  con- 
centration of  "  a  flood  of  light." 

"  Soon  after  they  landed,  they  separated 
themselves  into  two  distinct  nations.  This  di- 
vision was  caused  by  a  certain  portion  of  them 


268     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

being  greatly  persecuted,  because  of  their  right- 
eousness, by  the  remainder.  The  persecuted 
nation  emigrated  toward  the  northern  parts  of 
South  America,  leaving  the  wicked  nation  in 
possession  of  the  middle  and  southern  parts  of 
the  same.  The  former  were  called  Nephites, 
being  led  by  a  prophet  who  was  called  Nephi. 
The  latter  were  called  Lamanites,  being  led  by 
a  very  wicked  man,  whose  name  was  Laman. 
The  Nephites  had  in  their  possession  a  copy 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  viz.,  the  five  books  of 
Moses,  and  the  prophecies  of  the  holy  prophets, 
down  to  Jeremiah,  in  whose  days  they  left  Je- 
rusalem. These  Scriptures  were  engraved  on 
plates  of  brass,  in  the  Egyptian  language. 
They  themselves  also  made  plates,  soon  after 
their  landing,  on  which  they  began  to  engrave 
their  own  history,  prophecies,  visions,  and  re- 
velations. All  these  sacred  records  were  kept 
by  holy  and  righteous  men,  who  were  inspired 
by  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  were  carefully  pre- 
served and  handed  down  from  generation  to 
generation. 

"  And  the  Lord  gave  unto  them  the  whole 
continent  for  a  land  of  promise  ;  and  promised 
that  they,  and  their  children  after  them,  should 
inherit  it,  on  condition  of  their  obedience  to  his 
commandments  ;  but  if  they  were  disobedient, 
thoy  should  be  cut  off  from  his  presence.  And 
the  Nephites  began  to  prosper  in  the  land,  ac- 
cording to  their  righteousness,  and  multiplied 
and  spread  forth  to  the  east,  west,  and  north ; 
building  large  villages,  cities,  synagogues,  and 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     269 

temples,  together  with  forts,  towers,  and  fortifi- 
cations, to  defend  themselves  against  their  ene- 
mies. And  they  cultivated  the  earth,  and  raised 
various  kinds  of  grain  in  abundance.  They  also 
raised  numerous  flocks  of  domestic  animals,  and 
became  a  very  wealthy  people,  having  in  abund- 
ance gold,  silver,  copper,  tin,  iron,  &c.  Arts 
and  sciences  flourished  to  a  great  extent.  Va- 
rious kinds  of  machinery  were  in  use.  Cloths 
of  various  kinds  were  manufactured.  Swords, 
cimeters,  axes,  and  various  implements  of  war 
were  made,  together  with  head-shields,  arm- 
shields,  and  breast-plates,  to  defend  themselves 
in  battle  with  their  enemies.  And  in  the  days 
of  their  righteousness,  they  were  a  civilized, 
enlightened,  and  happy  people. 

"  But  on  the  other  hand,  the  Lamanites,  be- 
cause of  the  hardness  of  their  hearts,  brought 
down  many  judgments  upon  their  own  heads  ; 
nevertheless,  they  were  not  destroyed  as  a  na- 
tion ;  but  the  Lord  God  sent  forth  a  curse  upon 
them,  and  they  became  a  dark,  loathsome,  and 
filthy  people.  Before  their  rebellion  they  were 
white  and  exceedingly  fair,  like  the  Nephites  ; 
but  the  Lord  God  cursed  them  in  their  complex- 
ions, and  they  were  changed  to  a  dark  colour, 
and  they  became  a  wild,  savage,  and  ferocious 
people,  being  great  enemies  to  the  Nephites, 
whom  they  sought  by  every  means  to  destroy, 
and  many  times  came  against  them,  with  their 
numerous  hosts,  to  battle,  but  were  repulsed, 
and  driven  back  to  their  own  possession  ;  not, 
however,  generally  speaking,  without  great  loss 


270     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

on  both  sides  ;  for  tens  of  thousands  were  very 
frequently  slain,  after  which  they  were  piled 
together  in  great  heaps  upon  the  face  of  the 
ground,  and  covered  with  a  shallow  covering 
of  earth,  which  will  satisfactorily  account  for 
those  ancient  mounds  filled  with  human  bones, 
so  numerous  at  the  present  day,  both  in  North 
and  South  America." 

Unfortunately  for  Professor  Pratt's  literary 
reputation,  such  mounds  are  not  met  with  in 
South  America. 

According  to  him  also,  "  In  the  eleventh  year 
of  the  reign  of  Zedekiah,  at  the  time  the  Jews 
were  carried  away  captive  into  Babylon,  an- 
other remnant  were  brought  out  of  Jerusalem, 
some  of  whom  were  descendants  of  Judah. 
They  landed  in  North  America,  soon  after 
which  they  emigrated  into  the  northern  parts 
of  South  America,  at  which  place  they  were 
discovered  by  the  remnant  of  Joseph,  something 
like  four  hundred  years  after. 

"  They  were  called  the  people  of  Zarahem- 
la.  They  had  been  perplexed  with  many  wars 
among  themselves  ;  and  having  brought  no  re- 
cords with  them,  their  language  had  become 
corrupted,  and  they  denied  the  being  of  God  ; 
and  at  the  time  they  were  discovered  by  the 
Nephites,  they  were  very  numerous,  and  only 
in  a  partial  state  of  civilization  ;  but  the  Ne- 
phites united  with  them,  and  taught  them  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  and  they  were  restored  to  ci- 
vilization, and  became  one  nation  with  them. 
And  in  process  of  time  the  Nephites  began  to 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     271 

build  ships  near  the  Isthmus  of  Darien,  and 
launch  them  forth  into  the  western  ocean,  in 
which  great  numbers  sailed  a  great  distance  to 
the  northward,  and  began  to  colonize  North 
America.  Other  colonies  emigrated  by  land, 
and  in  a  few  centuries  the  whole  continent  be- 
came peopled.  North  America,  at  that  time, 
was  almost  entirely  destitute  of  timber,  it  hav- 
ing been  cut  off  by  the  more  ancient  race,  who 
came  from  the  great  tower,  at  the  confusion  of 
languages  ;  but  the  Nephites  became  very  skil- 
ful in  building  houses  of  cement ;  also  much 
timber  was  carried  by  the  way  of  shipping  from 
South  to  North  America.  They  also  planted 
groves,  and  began  to  raise  timber,  that  in  time 
their  wants  might  be  supplied.  Large  cities 
were  built  in  various  parts  of  the  continent, 
both  among  the  Lamanites  and  Nephites.  The 
law  of  Moses  was  observed  by  the  latter.  Nu- 
merous prophets  were  raised  up,  from  time  to 
time,  throughout  their  generations.  Many  re- 
cords, both  historical  and  prophetical,  which 
were  of  great  size,  were  kept  among  them ; 
some  on  plates  of  gold  and  other  metals,  and 
some  on  other  materials.  The  sacred  records, 
also  of  the  more  ancient  race  who  had  been 
destroyed,  were  found  by  them.  These  were 
engraved  on  plates  of  gold.  They  translated 
them  into  their  own  language,  by  the  gift  and 
power  of  God,  through  the  means  of  the  Urim 
and  Thummim.  They  contained  an  historical 
account  from  the  creation  down  to  the  tower  of 
Babel,  and  from  that  time  down  until  they  were 


272     MORMONISM  AND  TH-E  MORMONS. 

destroyed,  comprising  a  period  of  about  thirty- 
four  hundred,  or  thirty-five  hundred  years. 
They  also  contained  many  prophecies,  great 
and  marvellous,  reaching  forward  to  the  final 
end  arid  consummation  of  all  things,  and  the 
creation  of  the  new  heaven  and  new  earth. 

"  The  prophets  also  among  the  Nephites 
prophesied  of  great  things.  They  opened  the 
secrets  of  futurity — saw  the  coming  of  the  Mes- 
siah in  the  flesh — prophesied  of  the  blessings 
to  come  upon  their  descendants  in  the  latter 
times — made  known  the  history  of  unborn  gene- 
rations— unfolded  the  great  events  of  ages  to 
come — viewed  the  power,  glory,  and  majesty 
of  Messiah's  second  advent — beheld  the  esta- 
blishment of  the  kingdom  of  peace — gazed  upon 
the  glories  of  the  day  of  righteousness — saw 
creation  redeemed  from  the  curse,  and  all  the 
righteous  filled  with  songs  of  everlasting  joy. 

"  The  Nephites  knew  of  the  birth  and  cruci- 
fixion of  Christ,  by  certain  celestial  and  terres- 
trial phenomena,  which,  at  those  times,  were 
shown  forth  in  fulfilment  of  the  predictions  of 
many  of  their  prophets.  Notwithstanding  the 
many  blessings  with  which  they  had  been 
blessed,  they  had  fallen  into  great  wickedness, 
and  had  cast  out  the  saints  and  the  prophets, 
and  stoned  and  killed  them.  Therefore,  at  the 
time  of  the  crucifixion  of  Christ,  they  were 
visited  in  great  judgment.  Thick  darkness 
covered  the  whole  continent.  The  earth  was 
terribly  convulsed.  The  rocks  were  rent  into 
broken  fragments,  and  afterward  found  in  seams 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    273 

and  cracks  upon  all  the  face  of  the  land.  Mount- 
ains were  sunk  into  valleys,  and  valleys  raised 
into  mountains.  The  highways  and  level  roads 
were  broken  up  arid  spoiled.  Many  cities  were 
laid  in  ruins.  Others  were  buried  up  in  the 
depths  of  the  earth,  and  mountains  occupied 
their  place.  While  others  were  sunk,  and  wa- 
ters came  up  in  their  stead,  and  others  still  were 
burned  by  fire  from  heaven. 

"  Thus  the  predictions  of  their  prophets  were 
fulfilled  upon  their  heads.  Thus  the  more 
wicked  part,  both  of  the  Nephites  and  Laman- 
ites,  were  destroyed.  Thus  the  Almighty  ex- 
ecuted vengeance  and  fury  upon  them,  that  the 
blood  of  the  saints  and  prophets  might  no  longer 
cry  from  the  ground  against  them. 

"  Those  who  survived  these  terrible  judg- 
ments were  favoured  with  the  personal  minis- 
try of  Christ :  for  after  he  arose  from  the  dead, 
finished  his  ministry  at  Jerusalem,  and  ascend- 
ed to  heaven,  he  descended  in  the  presence  of 
the  Nephites,  who  were  assembled  round  about 
their  temples  in  the  northern  parts  of  South 
America.  He  exhibited  to  them  his  wounded 
hands,  side,  and  feet — commanded  the  law  of 
Moses  to  be  abolished — introduced  and  esta- 
blished the  gospel  in  its  stead — chose  twelve 
disciples  from  among  them  to  administer  the 
same — instituted  the  sacrament — prayed  for 
and  blessed  their  little  children — healed  their 
sick,  blind,  lame,  deaf,  and  those  who  were  af- 
flicted in  any  way — raised  a  man  from  the  dead 
— showed  forth  his  power  in  their  midst — ex 
18 


274     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

pounded  the  Scriptures  which  had  been  given 
from  the  beginning  down  to  that  time,  and  made 
known  unto  them  all  things  which  should  take 
place  down  until  he  should  come  in  his  glory, 
and  from  that  time  down  to  the  end,  when  all 
people,  nations,  and  languages,  shall  stand  be- 
fore God  to  be  judged,  and  the  heaven  and  the 
earth  should  pass  away,  and  there  should  be  a 
new  heaven  and  new  earth.  These  teachings 
of  Jesus  were  engraved  upon  plates,  some  of 
which  are  contained  in  the  Book  of  Mormon  ; 
but  the  greater  part  are  not  revealed  in  that 
book,  but  are  HEREAFTER  to  be  made  manifest  to 
the  saints. 

"  After  Jesus  had  finished  ministering  unto 
them,  he  ascended  into  heaven  ;  and  the  twelve 
disciples,  whom  he  had  chosen,  went  forth  upon 
all  the  face  of  the  land,  preaching  the  gospel, 
baptizing  those  who  repented,  for  the  remission 
of  sins,  after  which  they  laid  their  hands  upon 
them,  that  they  might  receive  the  Holy  Spirit. 
Mighty  miracles  were  wrought  by  them,  and 
also  by  many  of  the  church.  The  Nephites 
and  Lamanites  were  all  converted  unto  the 
Lord,  both  in  South  and  North  America ;  and 
they  dwelt  in  righteousness  above  three  hun- 
dred years  :  but  toward  the  close  of  the  fourth 
century  of  the  Christian  era,  they  had  so  far 
apostatized  from  God,  that  he  suffered  great 
judgments  to  fall  upon  them.  The  Lamanites, 
at  that  time,  dwelt  in  South  America,  and  the 
Nephites  in  North  America. 

"  A  great  arid  terrible  war  commenced  be- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    275 

tween  them,  which  lasted  for  many  years,  and 
resulted  in  the  complete  overthrow  and  destruc- 
tion of  the  Nephites.  This  war  commenced  at 
he  Isthmus  of  Darien,  and  was  very  destruct- 
ve  to  both  nations  for  many  years.  At  length 
the  Nephites  were  driven  before  their  enemies, 
a  great  distance  to  the  north,  and  north-east ; 
and  having  gathered  their  whole  nation  toge- 
ther, both  men,  women,  and  children,  they  en- 
camped on  and  round  about  the  hill  Cumorah, 
where  the  records  were  found,  which  is  in  the 
state  of  New- York,  about  two  hundred  miles 
west  of  the  city  of  Albany.  Here  they  were 
met  by  the  numerous  hosts  of  the  Lamanites, 
and  were  slain,  and  hewn  down,  and  slaugh- 
tered, both  male  and  female — the  aged,  middle- 
aged,  and  children.  Hundreds  of  thousands 
were  slain  on  both  sides  ;  and  the  nation  of  the 
Nephites  were  destroyed,  excepting  a  few  who 
had  deserted  over  to  the  Lamanites,  and  a  few 
who  escaped  into  the  south  country,  and  a  few 
who  fell  wounded,  and  were  left  by  the  Laman- 
ites on  the  field  of  battle  for  dead,  among  whom 
were  Mormon  and  his  son  Moroni,  who  were 
righteous  men." 

Listen  now  to  the  lamentations  of  Moroni ! 

"  Behold  I,  Moroni,  do  finish  the  record  of  my 
father  Mormon.  Behold,  I  have  but  few  things  to 
write,  which  things  I  have  been  commanded  of  my 
father.  And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  the  great 
and  tremendous  battle  at  Cumorah,  behold,  the  Ne- 
phites, who  had  escaped  into  the  country  southward, 
were  hunted  by  the  Lamanites,  until  they  were  all 


276     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

destroyed  ;  and  my  father  also  was  killed  by  them  ; 
and  I  even  remain  alone  to  write  the  sad  tale  of  the 
destruction  of  my  people.  But  behold,  they  are  gone, 
and  I  fulfil  the  commandment  of  my  father.  And 
whether  they  will  slay  me,  I  know  not ;  therefore  I 
will  write  and  hide  up  the  records  in  the  earth,  and 
whither  I  go  it  mattereth  not.  Behold,  my  father 
hath  made  this  record,  and  he  hath  written  the  intent 
thereof.  And  behold,  I  would  write  it  also,  if  I  had 
room  upon  the  plates  ;  but  I  have  not ;  and  ore  I  have 
none,  for  I  am  alone  :  my  father  hath  been  slain  in 
battle,  and  all  my  kinsfolks,  and  I  have  not  friends 
nor  whither  to  go  ;  and  how  long  the  Lord  will  suf- 
fer that  I  may  live,  I  know  not.  Behold,  four  hun- 
dred years  have  passed  away  since  the  coming  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour.  And  behold,  the  Lamanites  have 
hunted  my  people,  the  Nephites,  down  from  city  to 
city,  and  from  place  to  place,  even  until  they  are  no 
more,  and  great  has  been  their  fall ;  yea,  great  and 
marvellous  is  the  destruction  of  my  people,  the  Ne- 
phites. And  behold,  also,  the  Lamanites  are  at  war 
one  with  another ;  and  the  whole  face  of  this  land  is 
one  continual  round  of  murder  and  bloodshed  ;  and  no 
one  knoweth  the  end  of  the  war." 

Who  would  suppose  that  after  having  wit- 
nessed such 

"  Strange  accidents  of  flood  and  field  ;" 

after  having  survived  his  entire  nation,  this 
man  would  now  concern  himself  about  literary 
fame!  Yet  he  is  represented  as  proceeding  to 

say, 

"  Whoso  receiveth  this  record,  and  shall  not  con- 
demn it  because  of  the  imperfections  which  are  in  it, 
[a  strong  appeal  this  to  critics  !]  the  same  shall  know 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     277 

of  greater  things  than  these.  Behold,  I  am  Mo- 
roni ;  and  were  it  possible,  I  would  make  all  things 
known  unto  you.  [A  most  benevolent  design.]  Be- 
hold, I  speak  unto  you  as  though  I  spake  from  the 
dead ;  for  I  know  that  ye  [who  ]]  shall  hear  my 
words. 

"  And  now  behold,  we  have  written  this  record  ac- 
cording to  our  knowledge,  in  the  characters  which 
are  called,  among  us,  the  reformed  Egyptian,  being 
handed  down  and  altered  by  us,  according  to  our 
manner  of  speech.  And  if  our  plates  had  been  suffi- 
ciently large,  we  should  have  written  in  Hebrew ; 
but  the  Hebrew  hath  been  altered  by  us  also  ;  and  if 
we  could  have  written  in  Hebrew,  behold,  ye  would 
have  had  no  imperfection  in  our  record.  But  the 
Lord  knoweth  the  things  which  we  have  written,  and 
also  that  none  other  people  knoweth  our  language, 
therefore  he  hath  prepared  means  for  the  interpreta- 
tion thereof." 

Moroni  goes  still  further,  and  turning  his  at- 
tention to  the  study  of  antiquities,  produces  the 
book  of  Ether,  containing,  decidedly,  the  most 
remarkable  narrative  found  in  the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon. 

Were  Dean  Swift  alive,  he  would,  perhaps, 
in  comparison  with  this  writer,  find  himself 
much  in  the  condition  of  his  own  Gulliver, 
when  expecting  to  be  swallowed  or  crushed  to 
death  by  the  Manriikins  ! 

The  plain  English  of  the  circumstance  is 
this.  The  author,  having  nearly  completed  his 
book,  becomes  so  conscious  of  the  absurdity  of 
attempting  to  people  the  whole  western  conti- 
nent by  means  of  a  single  family  from  Jerusa- 


278     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

lem,  so  late  as  600  B.  C.,  hastens  back  to  the 
confusion  of  tongues,  at  the  tower  of  Babel,  and 
imports  several  families,  called  the  people  of 
Jared.  Of  these  he  makes  a  "  very  numerous 
and  powerful  people,"  but  is  cruel  enough  to 
destroy  them  all  long  before  the  Nephites  ar- 
rived, so  that  nothing  but  their  bones  could  be 
found,  and  the  plates  containing  their  history. 
Witness  the  whole  process,  abridged  in  his 
own  words. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Jared,  and  his  brother, 
and  their  families,  and  also  the  friends  of  Jared  and 
his  brother,  and  their  families,  went  down  into  the 
valley  which  was  northward,  with  their  flocks  which 
they  had  gathered  together,  male  and  female,  of  every 
kind.  And  they  did  also  lay  snares  and  catch  fowls 
of  the  air ;  and  they  did  also  prepare  a  vessel,  in 
which  they  did  carry  with  them  the  fish  of  the  wa- 
ters:  and  they  did  also  carry  with  them  deseret, 
which,  by  interpretation,  is  a  honey-bee ;  and  thus 
they  did  carry  with  them  swarms  of  bees,  and  all 
manner  of  that  which  was  upon  the  face  of  the  land, 
seeds  of  every  kind. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  commanded 
them  that  they  should  go  forth  into  the  wilderness, 
yea,  into  that  quarter  where  there  never  had  man 
been.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  did  go  be- 
fore them,  and  did  talk  with  them  as  he  stood  in  a 
cloud,  and  gave  directions  whither  they  should  travel. 
And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  travel  in  the  wil- 
derness, and  did  build  barges,  in  which  they  did  cross 
many  waters,  being  directed  continually  by  the  hand 
of  the  Lord.  And  the  Lord  would  not  suffer  that 
they  should  stop  beyond  the  sea  in  the  wilderness,  but 
he  would  that  they  should  come  forth  even  unto  the 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    279 

land  of  promise,  which  was  choice  above  all  other 
ands  which  the  Lord  God  had  preserved  for  a  right- 
eous people. 

"  And  the  Lord  said,  Go  to  work  and  build,  after 
the  manner  of  barges  which  ye  have  hitherto  built. 
And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  brother  of  Jared  did  go 
to  work,  and  also  his  brethren,  and  built  barges  after 
the  manner  which  they  had  built,  according  to  the 
instructions  of  the  Lord.  And  they  were  small,  and 
they  were  light  upon  the  water,  even  like  unto  the 
lightness  of  a  fowl  upon  the  water ;  and  they  were 
built  after  a  manner  that  they  were  exceeding  tight, 
even  that  they  would  hold  water  like  unto  a  dish ; 
and  the  bottom  thereof 'was  tight  like  unto  a  dish ; 
and  the  sides  thereof  were  tight  like  unto  a  dish  ;  and 
the  ends  thereof  were  peaked;  and  the  top  thereof 
was  tight  like  unto  a  dish ;  and  the  length  thereof 
was  the  length  of  a  tree  ;  and  the  door  thereof,  when 
it  was  shut,  was  tight  like  unto  a  dish.  And  it  came 
to  pass  that  the  brother  of  Jared  cried  unto  the  Lord, 
saying,  0  Lord,  I  have  performed  the  work  which 
thou  hast  commanded  me,  and  I  have  made  the  barges 
according  as  thou  hast  directed  me.  And  behold,  O 
Lord,  in  them  there  is  no  light,  whither  shall  we 
steer.  And  also  we  shall  perish,  for  in  them  we  can- 
not breathe,  save  it  is  the  air  which  is  in  them  ;  there- 
fore we  shall  perish.  And  the  Lord  said  un.to  the 
brother  of  Jared,  Behold,  thou  shalt  make  a  hole  in 
the  top  thereof,  and  also  in  the  bottom  thereof;  and 
when  thou  shalt  suffer  for  air,  thou  shalt  unstop  the 
hole  thereof,  and  receive  air.  And  if  it  so  be  that  the 
water  come  in  upon  thee,  behold,  ye  shall  stop  the 
hole  thereof,  that  ye  may  not  perish  in  the  flood. 
And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  brother  of  Jared  did  so, 
according  as  the  Lord  had  commanded.  And  he 
cried  again  unto  the  Lord,  saying,  O  Lord,  behold  I 
have  done  even  as  thou  hast  commanded  me  ;  and  I 


280     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

have  prepared  the  vessels  for  my  people,  and  behold, 
there  is  no  light  in  them.  Behold,  O  Lord,  wilt  thou 
suffer  that  we  shall  cross  this  great  water  in  darkness  ? 
And  the  Lord  said  unto  the  brother  of  Jared,  What 
will  ye  that  I  should  do  that  ye  may  have  light  in 
your  vessels "?  For  behold,  ye  cannot  have  windows, 
for  they  will  be  dashed  in  pieces ;  neither  shall  ye 
take  fire  with  you,  for  ye  shall  not  go  by  the  light  of 
fire  ;  for  behold,  ye  shall  be  as  a  whale  in  the  midst 
of  the  sea  ;  for  the  mountain  waves  shall  dash  upon 
you.  Nevertheless,  I  will  bring  you  up  again  out  of 
the  depths  of  the  sea  :  for  the  winds  have  gone  forth 
out  of  my  mouth,  and  also  the  rains  and  the  floods 
have  I  sent  forth. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  brother  of  Jared 
(now  the  number  of  the  vessels  which  had  been  pre- 
pared was  eight)  went  forth  unto  the  mount,  which 
they  called  the  mount  Shelem,  because  of  its  exceed- 
ing height,  and  did  moulten  out  of  a  rock  sixteen 
small  stones ;  and  they  were  white  and  clear,  even 
as  transparent  glass,  and  he  did  carry  them  in  his 
hands  upon  the  top  of  the  mount,  and  cried  again  unto 
the  Lord,  saying,  O  Lord,  thou  hast  said  that  we  must 
be  encompassed  about  by  the  floods.  O  Lord,  look 
upon  me  in  pity,  and  turn  away  thine  anger  from  this 
thy  people,  and  suffer  not  that  they  shall  go  forth 
acros§  this  raging  deep  in  darkness,  but  behold  these 
things  which  I  have  moulten  out  of  the  rock.  And 
I  know,  O  Lord,  that  thou  hast  all  power,  and  can  do 
whatsoever  thou  wilt  for  the  benefit  of  man  ;  there- 
fore touch  these  stones,  O  Lord,  with  thy  finger,  and 
prepare  them  that  they  may  shine  forth  in  darkness ; 
and  they  shall  shine  forth  unto  us  in  the  vessels 
which  we  have  prepared,  that  we  may  have  light 
while  we  shall  cross  the  sea.  And  it  came  to  pass 
that  when  the  brother  of  Jared  had  said  these  words, 
behold,  the  Lord  stretched  forth  his  hand  and  touched 


3IORMONISM  AND   THE  MORMONS.         281 

the  stones,  one  by  one,  with  his  finger ;  and  the  veil 
was  taken  from  off  the  eyes  of  the  brother  of  Tared, 
and  he  saw  the  finger  of  the  Lord  ;  and  it  was  as  the 
finger  of  a  man,  like  unto  flesh  and  blood ;  and  the 
brother  of  Jared  fell  down  before  the  Lord,  for  he  was 
struck  with  fear. 

"  It  came  to  pass  after  the  Lord  had  prepared  the 
stones  which  the  brother  of  Jared  had  carried  up  into 
the  mount,  the  brother  of  Jared  came  down  out  of  the 
mount,  and  he  did  put  forth  the  stones  into  the  ves- 
sels which  were  prepared,  one  in  each  end  thereof; 
and  behold,  they  did  give  light  unto  the  vessels 
thereof.  And  thus  the  Lord  caused  stones  to  shine 
in  darkness,  to  give  light  unto  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren, that  they  might  not  cross  the  great  waters  in 
darkness. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  prepared 
all  manner  of  food,  that  thereby  they  might  subsist 
upon  the  water,  and  also  food  for  their  flocks  and 
herds,  and  whatsoever  beast,  or  animal,  or  fowl  that 
they  should  carry  with  them.  And  it  came  to  pass 
that  when  they  had  done  all  these  things,  they  got 
aboard  of  their  vessels  or  barges,  and  set  forth  into 
the  sea,  commending  themselves  unto  the  Lord  their 
God.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  God  caused 
that  there  should  a  furious  wind  blow  upon  the  face 
of  the  waters,  toward  the  promised  land :  and  thus 
they  were  tossed  upon  the  waves  of  the  sea  before 
the  wind.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  many 
times  buried  in  the  depths  of  the  sea,  because  of  the 
mountain  waves  which  broke  upon  them,  and  also  the 
great  and  terrible  tempests  which  were  caused  by  the 
fierceness  of  the  wind. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  were  buried 
in  the  deep,  there  was  no  water  that  could  hurt  them, 
their  vessels  being  tight  like  unto  a  dish,  and  also 
they  were  tight  like  unto  the  ark  of  Noah  ;  therefore 


282    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

when  they  were  encompassed  about  by  many  waters, 
they  did  cry  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  did  bring  them 
forth  again  upon  the  top  of  the  waters.  And  it  came 
to  pass  that  the  wind  did  never  cease  to  blow  toward 
the  promised  land,  while  they  were  upon  the  waters  : 
and  thus  they  were  driven  forth  before  the  wind  ;  and 
they  did  sing  praises  unto  the  Lord  ;  yea,  the  brother 
of  Jared  did  sing  praises  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  did 
thank  and  praise  the  Lord  all  the  day  long  ;  and  when 
the  night  came,  they  did  not  cease  to  praise  the  Lord. 
And  thus  they  were  driven  forth  ;  and  no  monster  of 
the  sea  could  break  them,  neither  whale  that  could 
mar  them  ;  and  they  did  have  light  continually,  whe- 
ther it  was  above  the  water  or  under  the  water. 
And  thus  they  were  driven  forth,  three  hundred  and 
forty  and  four  days  upon  the  water  ;  and  they  did  land 
upon  the  shore  of  the  promised  land.  And  when  they 
had  set  their  feet  upon  the  shores  of  the  promised 
land,  they  bowed  themselves  down  upon  the  face  of 
the  land,  and  did  humble  themselves  before  the  Lord, 
and  did  shed  tears  of  joy  before  the  Lord,  because  of 
the  multitude  of  his  tender  mercies  over  them. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  went  forth  upon  the 
face  of  the  land,  and  began  to  till  the  earth.  And  it 
came  to  pass  that  they  began  to  spread  upon  the  face 
of  the  land,  and  multiply  and  to  till  the  earth  ;  and 
they  did  wax  strong  in  the  land. 

"  And  they  built  a  great  city  by  the  narrow  neck 
of  land,  by  the  place  where  the  sea  divides  the  land. 
And  they  did  preserve  the  land  southward  for  a  wil- 
derness, to  get  game.  And  the  whole  face  of  the 
land  northward  was  covered  with  inhabitants ;  and 
they  were  exceeding  industrious,  and  they  did  buy 
and  sell,  and  traffic  one  with  another,  that  they  might 
get  gain.  And  they  did  work  in  all  manner  of  ore, 
and  they  did  make  gold,  and  silver,  and  iron,  and 
brass,  and  all  manner  of  metals  ;  and  they  did  dig  it 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    283 

out  of  the  earth ;  wherefore  they  did  cast  up  mighty 
heaps  of  earth  to  get  ore,  of  gold,  and  of  silver,  and 
of  iron,  and  of  copper.  And  they  did  work  all  man- 
ner of  fine  work.  And  they  did  have  silks,  and  fine- 
twined  linen  ;  and  they  did  work  all  manner  of  cloth, 
that  they  might  clothe  themselves  from  their  naked- 
ness. And  they  did  make  all  manner  of  tools  to  till 
the  earth,  both  to  plough  and  to  sow,  to  reap  and  to 
hoe,  and  also  to  thrash.  And  they  did  make  all  man- 
ner of  tools  with  which  they  did  work  their  beasts. 
And  they  did  make  all  manner  of  weapons  of  war. 
And  they  did  work  all  manner  of  work  of  exceeding 
curious  workmanship.  And  never  could  be  a  people 
more  blessed  than  were  they,  and  more  prospered  by 
the  hand  of  the  Lord.  And  they  were  in  a  land 
that  was  choice  above  all  lands,  for  the  Lord  had 
spoken  it." 

How  long  this  happy  state  of  things  continued 
we  are  not  informed.  The  narrative  breaks  it 
off  very  suddenly  by  a  description  of  bloody 
wars,  in  the  mere  skirmishes  of  which  two 
millions  of  men  were  slain  on  one  side,  yea, 
"  of  mighty  men,  and  also  their  wives  and  their 
children." 

The  parties  in  this  civil  strife  having  now 
become  fairly  enraged,  proceeded  to  end  their 
difficulties  by  a  final  contest,  which  resulted 
very  much  like  the  famous  battle  between  the 
cats  of  Kilkenny. 

"  They  were  for  the  space  of  four  years  gathering 
together  the  people,  that  they  might  get  all  who  were 
upon  the  face  of  the  land,  and  that  they  might  receive 
all  the  strength  which  it  was  possible  that  they  could 
receive.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  were 
all  gathered  together,  every  one  to  the  army  which 


284    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

he  would,  with  their  wives,  and  their  children ;  both 
men,  women  and  children  being  armed  with  weapons 
of  war,  having  shields,  and  breast-plates,  and  head- 
plates,  and  being  clothed  after  the  manner  of  war, 
they  did  march  forth  one  against  another,  to  battle  ; 
and  they  fought  all  that  day,  and  conquered  not.  And 
it  came  to  pass  that  when  it  was  night  they  were 
weary,  and  retired  to  their  camps  ;  and  after  they  had 
retired  to  their  camps,  they  took  up  a  howling  and  a 
lamentation  for  the  loss  of  the  slain  of  their  people  ; 
and  so  great  were  their  cries,  their  bowlings,  and 
lamentations,  that  it  did  rend  the  air  exceedingly. 
And  it  came  to  pass  that  on  the  morrow  they  did  go 
again  to  battle,  and  great  and  terrible  was  that  day ; 
nevertheless  they  conquered  not,  and  when  the  night 
came  again,  they  did  rend  the  air  with  their  cries, 
and  their  bowlings,  and  their  mournings,  for  the  loss 
of  the  slain  of  their  people. 

"  They  went  again  to  battle.  And  it  came  to  pass 
that  they  fought  all  that  day,  and  when  the  night 
came  they  slept  upon  their  swords  ;  and  on  the  mor- 
row they  fought  even  until  the  night  came  ;  and  when 
the  night  came  they  were  drunken  with  anger,  even 
as  a  man  who  is  drunken  with  wine  ;  and  they  slept 
again  upon  their  swords ;  and  on  the  morrow  they 
fought  again  ;  and  when  the  night  came  they  had  all 
fallen  by  the  sword,  save  it  were  fifty  and  two  of  the 
people  of  Coriantumr,  and  sixty  and  nine  of  the  peo- 
ple of  Shiz.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  slept 
upon  their  swords  that  night,  and  on  the  morrow  they 
fought  again,  and  they  contended  in  their  mights  with 
their  swords,  and  with  their  shields,  all  that  day;  and 
when  the  night  came  there  were  thirty  and  two  of 
the  people  of  Shiz,  and  twenty  and  seven  of  the  peo- 
ple of  Coriantumr.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they 
ate  and  slept,  and  prepared  for  death  on  the  morrow. 
And  they  were  large  and  mighty  men,  as  to  the 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     285 

strength  of  men.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they 
fought  for  the  space  of  three  hours,  and  they  fainted 
with  the  loss  of  blood.  And  it  came  to  pass  that 
when  the  men  of  Coriantumr  had  received  sufficient 
strength  that  they  could  walk,  they  were  about  to 
flee  for  their  lives,  but  behold,  Shiz  arose,  and  also 
his  men,  and  he  sware  in  his  wrath  that  he  would 
slay  Coriantumr,  or  he  would  perish  by  the  sword  : 
wherefore  he  did  pursue  them,  and  on  the  morrow 
he  did  overtake  them ;  and  they  fought  again  with 
the  sword.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had 
all  fallen  by  the  sword,  save  it  were  Coriantumr  and 
Shiz,  behold,  Shiz  had  fainted  with  the  loss  of  blood. 
And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Coriantumr  had  leaned 
upon  his  sword,  that  he  rested  a  little,  he  smote  off 
the  head  of  Shiz.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  he 
had  smote  off  the  head  of  Shiz,  that  Shiz  raised  upon 
his  hands  and  fell ;  and  after  that  he  had  struggled 
for  breath,  he  died.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Corian- 
tumr fell  to  the  earth,  and  became  as  if  he  had  no  life." 

Perhaps  the  reader  has  anticipated  from 
some  of  the  expressions  above  quoted,  that  the 
recent  discovery  of  ruined  cities  in  Central 
America  would  be  appealed  to  in  corroboration 
of  the  Book  of  Mormon. 

Such  is  the  fact.  A  report  of  one  of  Mr. 
Catherwood's  lectures  on  American  antiquities 
is  published  in  the  Times  and  Seasons,  under 
the  taking  caption, — MORE  PROOFS  OF  THE  BOOK 
OF  MORMON. 

The  uncertainty  acknowledged  to  exist  with 
respect  to  this  whole  subject,  renders  it  a  suit- 
able topic  for  such  appeals  as  the  Mormons 
usually  make  in  order  to  darken  counsel  with 
words.  But  we  will  riot  enter  into  controversy 


286     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

here,  since  we  should  be  sorry  to  rob  Messrs. 
Stephens  and  Catherwood  of  any  honours  which 
might  accrue  to  them,  from  having  substantiated 
the  truth  of  the  Book  of  Mormon.  We  will 
only  express  a  hope  that  ". Joseph  the  seer,"  in 
return  for  the  self-denying  labours  of  those 
gentlemen,  will  at  least  do  them  the  kindness 
to  interpret  the  hieroglyphics  with  which  they 
were  so  sadly  puzzled.  He  ought  to  be  very 
familiar  with  them,  since,  according  to  the  latest 
version  of  the  story,  he  translated  his  book  not 
from  the  Egyptian,  the  reformed  Egyptian,  or 
the  Egyptian  and  Hebrew,  as  he  has  before 
said  at  different  times ;  but  from  "  HIEROGLY- 
PHICS PECULIAR  to  the  people  whose  history  it 
gives." 

Being  furnished  moreover  with  an  accurate 
copy  of  those  hieroglyphics  now  before  the 
public,  what  excuse  can  he  have  for  hesitating 
to  brush  up  his  "  big  specs,"  "  anciently  called 
interpreters,"  and  deluge  the  waiting  world  with 
a  new  "FLOOD  OF  LIGHT!" 

The  only  point  of  interest  which  remains  to 
be  noticed  in  this  connection,  is  the  Mormon 
method  of  accounting  for  the  colour  of  the  abo- 
riginal Americans,  generally  denominated  red 
men.  We  will  not  dispute  about  the  terms  used 
in  the  extracts,  since  a  "  skin  of  blackness"  re- 
sembles copper  colour  about  as  much  as  the  lan- 
guage of  our  author  generally  approximates  to 
the  truth. 

"  And  he  had  caused  the  cursing  to  come  upon 
them,  yea,  even  a  sore  cursing,  because  of  their  in- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    28? 

iquity.  For  behold,  they  had  hardened  their  hearts 
against  him,  that  they  had  become  like  unto  a  flint ; 
wherefore,  as  they  were  white,  and  exceeding  fair 
and  delightsome,  that  they  might  not  be  enticing  unto 
my  people,  the  Lord  God  did  cause  a  skin  of  black- 
ness to  come  upon  them.  And  thus  saith  the  Lord 
God,  I  will  cause  that  they  shall  be  loathsome  unto 
thy  people,  save  they  shall  repent  of  their  iniquities. 
And  because  of  their  cursing  which  was  upon  them, 
they  did  become  an  idle  people,  full  of  mischief  and 
subtlety,  and  did  seek  in  the  wilderness  for  beasts  of 
prey.  And  the  Lord  God  said  unto  me,  [Nephi,]  They 
shall  be  a  scourge  unto  thy  seed,  to  stir  them  up  in 
remembrance  of  me ;  and  they  shall  scourge  them 
even  unto  destruction." 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Prophecies — Plagiarisms — Caricature  of  Scripture — 
Plates — Contrivance  to  forestall  objections — Harris's  visit 
to  Dr.  Anthon — Dr.  Anthon's  letter — Immersion  insti- 
tuted— Wickedness  of  infant  baptism — Duplicity  of  Mor- 
mon teachers  exhibited — Their  system  carried  out — Fool 
ish  vagaries — Rival  revelator  in  New- York — Phelps'  hu- 
miliation— Cowdery's  present  position — Reprobation  of 
Kirtland — Patriarch's  office — Blessing  meetings — Sum- 
mary and  conclusion. 

HAVING  now  given  all  the  important  geogra- 
phical and  historical  information  we  have  been 
able  to  find  in  the  Book  of  Mormon,  including 
several  notable  miracles,  we  pass  to  observe 
that  it  contains  numerous  prophecies.  Some 
of  these  are  such  as  any  writer  of  a  romance 
might  safely  make  and  verify  in  the  course  of 
his  story. 


288     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

The  following  is  designed  to  apply  to  Joseph 
Smith  and  Sidney  Rigdon,  the  Moses  and  Aaron 
of  Mormonism  : — 

"  For  Joseph  truly  testified,  saying,  A  seer  shall 
the  Lord  my  God  raise  up,  who  shall  be  a  choice 
seer  unto  the  fruit  of  ray  loins.  Yea,  Joseph  truly 
said,  thus  saith  the  Lord  unto  me  :  A  choice  seer 
will  I  raise  up  out  of  the  fruit  of  thy  loins ;  and  he 
shall  be  esteemed  highly  among  the  fruit  of  thy  loins. 
And  unto  him  will  I  give  commandment,  that  he  shall 
do  a  work  for  the  fruit  of  thy  loins,  his  brethren, 
which  shall  be  of  great  worth  unto  them,  even  to  the 
bringing  of  them  to  the  knowledge  of  the  covenants 
which  I  have  made  with  thy  fathers.  And  I  will  give 
unto  him  a  commandment,  that  he  shall  do  none  other 
work,  save  the  work  which  I  shall  command  him. 
And  I  will  make  him  great  in  mine  eyes :  for  he 
shall  do  my  work.  And  he  shall  be  great  like  unto 
Moses,  whom  I  have  said  I  would  raise  up  unto  you, 
to  deliver  my  people,  O  house  of  Israel.  And  Moses 
will  I  raise  up,  to  deliver  thy  people  out  of  the  land 
of  Egypt.  But  a  seer  will  I  raise  up  out  of  the  fruit 
of  thy  loins  ;  and  unto  him  will  I  give  power  to  bring 
forth  my  word  unto  the  seed  of  thy  loins  ;  and  not  to 
the  bringing  forth  my  word  only,  saith  the  Lord,  but 
to  the  convincing  them  of  my  word,  which  shall  have 
already  gone  forth  among  them.  Wherefore,  the 
fruit  of  thy  loins  shall  write  ;  and  the  fruit  of  the 
loins  of  Judah  shall  write  ;  and  that  which  shall  be 
written  by  the  fruit  of  thy  loins,  and  also  that  which 
shall  be  written  by  the  fruit  of  the  loins  of  Judah, 
shall  grow  together,  unto  the  confounding  of  false 
doctrines,  and  laying  down  of  contentions,  and  esta- 
blishing peace  among  the  fruit  of  thy  loins,  and  bring- 
ing them  to  the  knowledge  of  their  fathers  in  the  lat- 
ter days ;  and  also  to  the  knowledge  of  my  cove- 
nant saith  the  Lord.  And  out  of  weakness  he  shall 


MORMON  ISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     289 

be  made  strong,  in  that  day  when  my  work  shall  com- 
mence among  all  my  people,  unto  the  restoring  thee, 
O  house  of  Israel,  saith  the  Lord.  And  thus  prophe- 
sied Joseph,  saying,  Behold  that  seer  will  the  Lord 
bless ;  and  they  that  seek  to  destroy  him,  shall  be 
confounded  :  for  this  promise,  of  which  I  have  ob- 
tained of  the  Lord,  of  the  fruit  of  thy  loins,  shall  be 
fulfilled.  Behold  I  am  sure  of  the  fulfilling  of  this 
promise.  And  his  name  shall  be  called  after  me  ; 
and  it  shall  be  after  the  name  of  his  father,  [J.  Smith.] 
And  he  shall  be  like  unto  me  ;  for  the  thing  which 
the  Lord  shall  bring  forth  by  his  hand,  by  the  power 
of  the  Lord  shall  bring  my  people  unto  salvation  ; 
yea,  thus  prophesied  Joseph,  I  arn  sure  of  this  thing, 
even  as  I  am  sure  of  the  promise  of  Moses  :  for  the 
Lord  hath  said  unto  me,  I  will  preserve  thy  seed  for 
ever.  And  the  Lord  hath  said,  I  will  raise  up  a  Mo- 
ses ;  and  I  will  give  power  unto  him  in  a  rod  ;  and  I 
will  give  judgment  unto  him  in  writing.  Yet  I  will 
not  loose  his  tongue,  that  he  shall  speak  much  :  for  I 
will  not  make  him  mighty  in  speaking.  But  I  will 
write  unto  him  my  law,  by  the  finger  of  mine  own 
hand  ;  and  I  will  make  a  spokesman  for  him,  [Rig- 
don.]  And  the  Lord  said  unto  me  also,  I  will  raise 
up  unto  the  fruit  of  thy  loins  ;  and  I  will  make 
for  him  a  spokesman.  And  I,  behold,  I  will  give 
unto  him,  that  he  shall  write  the  writing  of  the 
fruit  of  thy  loins,  unto  the  fruit  of  thy  loins  ;  and  the 
spokesman  of  thy  loins  shall  declare  it.  And  the 
words  which  he  shall  write,  shall  be  the  words  which 
are  expedient  in  my  wisdom,  should  go  forth  unto 
the  fruit  of  thy  loins.  And  it  shall  be  as  if  the  fruit 
of  thy  loins  had  cried  unto  them  from  the  dust ;  for  I 
know  their  faith.  And  they  shall  cry  from  the  dust ; 
yea,  even  repentance  unto  their  brethren,  even  after 
many  generations  have  gone  by  them.  And  it  shall 
come  to  pass  that  their  cry  shall  go,  even  according 
to  the  simpleness  of  their  words." 
19 


290    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

Another  class  is  made  up  of  passages  from 
Scripture,  wickedly  garbled  and  interpolated. 
The  prophecies  of  Nephi  claim  to  have  been 
delivered  about  five  hundred  and  fifty  years  be- 
fore Christ.  From  them  we  extract  the  fol- 
lowing example  : — 

"  Wherefore,  I  would  that  ye  should  remember 
that  I  have  spoken  unto  you,  concerning  that  prophet 
which  the  Lord  showed  unto  me,  that  should  baptize 
the  Lamb  of  God,  which  should  take  away  the  sins 
of  the  world.  And  now,  if  the  Lamb  of  God,  he  be- 
ing holy,  should  have  need  to  be  baptized  with  water, 
*o  fulfil  all  righteousness,  O  then,  how  much  more 
need  have  we,  being  unholy,  to  be  baptized,  yea,  even 
by  water.  And  now,  I  would  ask  of  you,  my  be- 
loved brethren,  wherein  the  Lamb  of  God  did  fulfil 
all  righteousness  in  being  baptized  by  water  1  Know 
ye  not  that  he  was  holy  ?  But  notwithstanding  he 
being  holy,  he  showeth  unto  the  children  of  men, 
that  according  to  the  flesh,  he  humbleth  himself  be- 
fore the  Father,  and  witnesseth  unto  the  Father  that 
he  would  be  obedient  unto  him  in  keeping  his  com- 
mandments ;  wherefore,  after  he  was  baptized  with 
water,  the  Holy  Ghost  descended  upon  him  in  the 
form  of  a  dove. 

"  And  now,  behold,  my  beloved  brethren,  this  is 
the  way ;  and  there  is  none  other  way  nor  name 
given  under  heaven*  whereby  man  can  be  saved  in  the 
kingdom  of  God.  And  now,  behold  this  is  the  doc- 
trine of  Christ,  and  the  only  and  true  doctrine  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which 
is  one  God,  without  end.  Amen." 

What  a  striking  coincidence  between  the 
translation  of  certain  uncouth  hieroglyphics,  en- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    291 

graven  on  metal  plates  some  centuries  ago,  and 
the  language  of  King  James'  Bible ! 

Such  coincidence  subserves  no  imaginable 
end,  other  than  to  fix  the  brand  of  plagiarism 
upon  this  stupid  attempt  to  counterfeit  the  word 
of  God. 

To  any  one  who  may  have  occasion  to  ex- 
amine the  Book  of  Mormon,  we  give  the  fol- 
lowing references  under  this  head  : — • 

Parts  of  Book  of  Mormon.  Where  found. 

Pages  53-56,  Isaiah — Ch.  xlviii,  xlix  ; 

75-77,  1,  li ; 

85-101,  ii,  xiv; 

466-477,  Matthew        v,  vi,  vii ; 

484, 485,  Isaiah  lii ; 

487,  488,  liv ; 

489-491,  Malachi         iii ; 

563, 564,  1  Cor.  xiii. 

Thus  by  a  very  hasty  examination  any  one 
may  see  that  thirty-one  pages  out  of  five  hun- 
dred and  seventy,  or  one-eighteenth  part  of  the 
whole  volume,  is  stolen  property.  It  has  been 
plundered  from  the  living  oracles  of  God,  and 
wrought  in  by  piece-meal  to  give  countenance 
to  a  silly  fabrication. 

Let  any  one  peruse  the  chaste,  and,  in  seve- 
ral instances,  sublime  language  of  the  scriptures 
above  referred  to,  and  then  say  if  we  have  used 
terms  too  disrespectful  of  the  Mormon  context. 
Here  follows  an  example  of  the  latter  : — 

"  And  now  there  cannot  be  written  in  this  book, 
even  a  hundredth  part  of  the  things  which  Jesus  did 


292    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

truly  teach  unto  the  people  ;  but  behold  the  plates  of 
Nephi  do  contain  the  m.ore  part  of  the  things  which 
he  taught  the  people  ;  and  these  things  have  I  writ- 
ten, which  are  a  lesser  part  of  the  things  which  he 
taught  the  people  ;  and  I  have  written  them  to  the 
intent  that  they  may  be  brought  again  unto  this  peo- 
ple, from  the  Gentiles,  according  to  the  words  which 
Jesus  hath  spoken.  And  when  they  shall  have  re- 
ceived this,  which  is  expedient  that  they  should  have 
first,  to  try  their  faith,  and  if  it  shall  so  be  that  they 
shall  believe  these  things,  then  shall  the  greater 
things  be  made  manifest  unto  them.  And  if  it  so  be 
that  they  will  not  believe  these  things,  then  shall  the 
greater  things  be  withheld  from  them,  unto  their  con- 
demnation. Behold  I  were  about  to  write  them  all 
which  were  engraven  upon  the  plates  of  Nephi,  but 
the  Lord  forbid  it,  saying,  I  will  try  the  faith  of  my 
people  ;  therefore  I,  Mormon,  do  write  the  things 
which  have  been  commanded  me  of  the  Lord." 

Perhaps  it  will  be  said,  that  inasmuch  as 
some  of  the  prophecies  quoted  were  written 
before  the  Nephites  left  Jerusalem,  and  as  their 
authors  are  acknowledged,  it  is  reasonable  to 
suppose  that  they  were  copied  on  the  success- 
ive sets  of  plates  ;  an  abridged  edition  of  which 
was  obtained  by  "  the  author  and  proprietor"  of 
the  Book  of  Mormon. 

We  answer  that  the  charge  of  plagiarism  is 
founded,  1st.  Upon  the  language  used,  the  Eng- 
lish not  having  been  in  existence  until  subse- 
quently to  the  last  date  in  the  Book  of  Mormon. 
2d.  Upon  the  translation,  which  was  first  pub- 
lished in  1610,  more  than  a  thousand  years 
after  the  death  of  Moroni,  the  finisher  of  the 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    293 

book,  if  it  be  genuine.  This  translation  is  fol- 
lowed not  only  in  words,  but  also  in  the  use  of 
pauses  and  parentheses!  E.g.  Isa.  Hi,  14.  The 
possibility  of  such  an  extensive  and  literal  co- 
incidence honestly  occurring  in  a  translation 
from  an  unknown  tongue,  is  an  idea  too  absurd 
to  mention. 

After  the  above  examples  of  whole  chapters 
taken  from  the  common  version  of  the  Bible,  it 
cannot  be  necessary  to  collate  the  numerous 
Scripture  phrases  which  are  made  use  of,  with- 
out the  shadow  of  acknowledgment,  in  every 
part  of  the  Book  of  Mormon. 

The  following  are  a  few : — 

"  By  faith  in  the  Son  of  God." — "  He  is  the 
same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever." — "  How 
beautiful  upon  the  mountains  !" — "  To  be  car- 
nally minded  is  death." — "  Wars  and  rumours 
of  wars." — "  Must  be  born  again." — "Gall  of  bit- 
terness and  bonds  of  iniquity." — "  Hewn  down 
and  cast  into  the  fire." — "  Whosoever  will  come, 
may  come,  and  partake  of  the  waters  of  life 
freely." — "  A  flaming  sword,  which  turned  every 
way,  to  keep  the  tree  of  life." — "  O  wretched 
man  that  I  am  !" 

In  this  connection  we  subjoin  a  brief  exam- 
ple of  the  method  in  which  another  considera- 
ble portion  of  this  work  has  been  gotten  up.  It 
is  neither  more  nor  less  than  a  vile  caricature 
of  Scripture. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  made 
an  end  of  praying  unto  the  Father,  he  arose  ;  but  so 
great  was  the  joy  of  the  multitude,  that  they  were 


294     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

overcome.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Jesus  spake 
unto  them,  and  bade  them  arise.  And  they  arose 
from  the  earth,  and  he  said  unto  them,  Blessed  are 
ye  because  of  your  faith.  And  now  behold,  my  joy 
is  full.  And  when  he  had  said  these  words,  he  wept, 
and  the  multitude  bear  record  of  it,  and  he  took  their 
little  children,  one  by  one,  and  blessed  them,  and 
prayed  unto  the  Father  for  them.  And  when  he  had 
done  this  he  wept  again,  and  he  spake  unto  the  mul- 
titude, and  saith  unto  them,  Behold  your  little  ones. 
And  as  they  looked  to  behold,  they  cast  their  eyes 
toward  heaven,  and  they  saw  the  heavens  open,  and 
they  saw  angels  descending  out  of  heaven  as  it  were, 
in  the  midst  of  fire  ;  and  they  came  down  and  encir- 
cled those  little  ones  about,  and  they  were  encircled 
about  with  fire  :  and  the  angels  did  minister  unto 
them,  and  the  multitude  did  see,  and  hear,  and  bear 
record  ;  and  they  know  that  their  record  is  true,  for 
they  all  of  them  did  see  and  hear,  every  man  for  him- 
self; and  they  were  in  number  about  two  thousand 
and  five  hundred  souls  ;  and  they  did  consist  of  men, 
women,  and  children. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Jesus  commanded  his 
disciples  that  they  should  bring  forth  some  bread  and 
wine  unto  him.  And  while  they  were  gone  for  bread 
and  wine,  he  commanded  the  multitude  that  they 
should  sit  themselves  down  upon  the  earth.  And 
when  the  disciples  had  come  with  bread  and  wine, 
he  took  of  the  bread,  and  brake  and  blessed  it ;  and 
he  gave  unto  the  disciples,  and  commanded  that  they 
should  eat.  And  when  they  had  eat,  and  were  filled, 
he  commanded  that  they  should  give  unto  the  multi- 
tude. And  when  the  multitude  had  eaten  and  were 
filled,  he  said  unto  the  disciples,  Behold,  there  shall 
one  be  ordained  among  you,  and  to  him  will  I  give 
power  that  he  shall  break  bread,  and  bless  it,  and 
give  it  unto  the  people  of  my  church,  unto  all  those 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    295 

who  shall  believe  and  be  baptized  in  my  name.  And 
this  shall  ye  always  observe  to  do,  even  as  I  have 
done,  even  as  I  have  broken  bread,  and  blessed  it, 
and  gave  it  unto  you.  And  this  shall  ye  do  in  re- 
membrance of  my  body,  which  I  have  shown  unto 
you.  And  it  shall  be  a  testimony  unto  the  Father, 
that  ye  do  always  remember  me.  And  if  ye  do 
always  remember  me,  ye  shall  have  my  Spirit  to  be 
with  you." 

It  is  particularly  remarkable  that  the  inspired 
writers  of  the  Bible  never  anticipated  objec- 
tions that  would  be  brought  against  their  record. 
They  uniformly  proceeded  in  an  open  and  un- 
deviating  course,  never  attempting  to  save  ap- 
pearances, or  describing  their  message  as  re- 
ceived in  any  strange  or  incredible  name.  Not 
so  the  writer  of  the  Book  of  Mormon.  He  was 
so  intent  upon  maintaining  the  unnatural  idea, 
that  his  book  was  made  up  from  certain  ancient 
records,  that  he  keeps  the  plates  jingling  in  our 
ears  from  one  end  of  the  volume  to  the  other. 
Sometimes  they  are  "brass,"  sometimes  "  gold," 
"  pure  gold,"  or  "  like  unto  gold."  At  one  time 
they  are  "  sealed  up,"  and  "  hid  up  ;"  at  another 
"  dug  up,"  translated,  and  abridged.  The  tales 
respecting  them  are  ridiculous  and  self-contra- 
dictory. The  following  extracts  will  serve  as 
a  specimen  : — 

"  And  now  when  my  father  saw  all  these  things, 
[the  plates  brought  from  Jerusalem,]  he  was  filled 
with  the  spirit,  and  began  to  prophesy  concerning  his 
seed  :  that  these  plates  of  brass  should  go  forth  unto 
all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  people  who  were 


296     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS 

of  his  seed.  Wherefore,  he  said  that  these  plates  of 
brass  should  never  perish ;  neither  should  they  be 
dimmed  any  more  by  time. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  commanded 
me,  wherefore  I  did  make  plates  of  ore,  that  I  might 
engraven  upon  them  the  record  of  my  people.  And 
upon  the  plates  which  I  made,  I  did  engraven  the  re- 
cord of  my  father,  and  also  our  journeyings  in  the 
wilderness,  and  the  prophecies  of  my  father ;  and 
also  many  of  mine  own  prophecies  have  I  engraven 
upon  them.  And  I  knew  not  at  the  time  when  I 
made  them,  that  I  should  be  commanded  of  the  Lord 
to  make  these  plates ;  wherefore,  the  record  of  my 
father,  and  the  genealogy  of  his  forefathers,  and  the 
more  part  of  all  our  proceedings  in  the  wilderness, 
are  engraven  upon  those  plates  of  which  I  have 
spoken  ;  wherefore,  the  things  which  transpired  be- 
fore I  made  these  plates,  are,  of  a  truth,  more  parti- 
cularly made  mention  upon  the  first  plates. 

"And  an  account  of  my  making  these  plates  shall 
be  given  hereafter  ;  and  then,  behold,  I  proceed  ac- 
cording to  that  which  I  have  spoken,  and  this  I  do, 
that  the  more  sacred  things  may  be  kept  for  the 
knowledge  of  my  people.  Nevertheless,  I  do  not 
write  any  thing  upon  plates,  save  it  be  that  /  think 
it  be  sacred.  And  now,  if  I  do  err,  even  did  they 
err  of  old. 

"  Now  King  Mosiah  had  no  one  to  confer  the 
kingdom  upon,  for  there  was  not  any  of  his  sons  who 
would  accept  of  the  kingdom ;  therefore  he  took  the 
records  which  were  engraven  on  the  plates  of  brass, 
and  also  the  plates  of  Nephi,  and  all  the  things  which 
he  had  kept  and  preserved,  according  to  the  com- 
mandments of  God,  after  having  translated  and 
caused  to  be  written  the  records  which  were  on  the 
plates  of  gold,  which  had  been  found  by  the  people 
of  Limhi,  which  were  delivered  to  him  by  the  hand 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     297 

of  Limhi ;  and  this  he  did,  because  of  the  great  anx- 
iety of  his  people,  for  they  were  desirous  beyond 
measure,  to  know  concerning  those  people  who  had 
been  destroyed.  And  now  he  translated  them  by  the 
means  of  those  two  stones  which  were  fastened  into 
the  two  rims  of  a  bow.  Now  these  things  were  pre- 
pared from  the  beginning,  and  were  handed  down 
generation  to  generation,  for  the  purpose  of  interpret- 
ing languages ;  and  they  have  been  kept  and  pre- 
served by  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  that  he  should  dis- 
cover to  every  creature  who  should  possess  the  land, 
the  iniquities  and  abominations  of  his  people  ;  and 
whosoever  has  these  things  is  called  seer,  after  the 
manner  of  old  times. 

"  Behold  there  are  records  which  do  contain  all 
the  proceedings  of  this  people  ;  and  a  more  short 
but  a  true  account,  was  given  by  Nephi :  therefore 
I  have  made  my  record  of  these  things  according  to 
the  record  of  Nephi,  which  was  engraven  on  the 
plates  which  were  called  the  plates  of  Nephi.  And 
behold  I  do  make  the  record  on  plates  which  I  have 
made  with  mine  own  hand.  And  behold,  I  am  called 
Mormon. 

"  And  now  I,  Moroni,  have  written  the  words 
which  were  Commanded  me,  according  to  my  memo- 
ry ;  and  I  have  told  you  the  things  which  I  have 
sealed  up  ;  therefore  touch  them  not,  in  order  that 
ye  may  translate ;  for  that  thing  is  forbidden  you, 
except  by  and  by  it  shall  be  wisdom  in  God.  And 
behold,  ye  may  be  privileged  that  ye  may  shew  the 
plates  unto  those  who  shall  assist  to  bring  forth  this 
work ;  and  unto  three  shall  they  be  shown  by  the 
power  of  God :  wherefore  they  shall  know  of  a  surety 
that  these  things  are  true." 

The  following  is  the  authorized  account  of 


298     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

their  situation,  and  condition,  at  the  time  of 
discovery : — 

"  As  you  go  on  the  mail-road  from  Palmyra, 
Wayne  county,  to  Canandaigua,  Ontario  county, 
New-York,  before  arriving  at  the  little  village 
of  Manchester,  say  from  three  to  four,  or  about 
four  miles  from  Palmyra,  you  pass  a  large  hill 
on  the  east  side  of  the  road.  Why  I  say  large, 
is  because  it  is  as  large,  perhaps,  as  any  in  that 
country. 

"  The  north  end  rises  quite  suddenly,  until 
it  assumes  a  level  with  the  more  southerly  ex- 
tremity ;  and  I  think  I  may  say,  an  elevation 
higher  than  at  the  south,  a  short  distance,  say 
half  or  three-fourths  of  a  mile.  As  you  pass 
toward  Canandaigua,  it  lessens  gradually,  until 
the  surface  assumes  its  common  level,  or  is 
broken  by  other  smaller  hills  or  ridges,  water- 
courses, and  ravines.  I  think  I  am  justified  in 
saying,  that  this  is  the  highest  hill  for  some 
distance  round,  and  I  am  certain  that  its  ap- 
pearance, as  it  rises  so  suddenly  from  a  plain 
on  the  north,  must  attract  the  notice  of  the  tra- 
veller as  he  passes  by. 

"  '  The  north  end,'  which  has  been  described 
as  rising  suddenly  from  the  plain,  forms  *  a  pro- 
montory without  timber,  but  covered  with  grass.' 
As  you  pass  to  the  south,  you  soon  come  to 
scattering  timber,  the  surface  having  been  clear- 
ed by  art  or  wind,  and  a  short  distance  further 
left,  you  are  surrounded  by  the  common  forest 
of  the  country.  It  is  necessary  to  observe,  that 
even  the  part  cleared,  was  only  occupied  for 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    299 

pasturage ;  its  steep  ascent,  and  narrow  sum- 
mit, not  admitting  the  plough  of  the  husband- 
man, with  any  degree  of  ease  or  profit.  It  was 
at  the  second  mentioned  place,  where  the  re- 
cord was  found  to  be  deposited,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  hill,  not  far  from  the  top,  down  its 
side  ;  and  when  myself  visited  the  place  in  the 
year  1830,  there  were  several  trees  standing — 
enough  to  cause  a  shade  in  summer,  but  not  so 
much  as  to  prevent  the  surface  being  covered 
with  grass — which  was  also  the  case  when  the 
record  was  first  found. 

"  How  far  below  the  surface  these  records 
were  (anciently)  placed,  I  am  unable  to  say : 
but  from  the  fact  that  they  have  been  some 
fourteen  hundred  years  buried,  and  that,  too,  on 
the  side  of  a  hill  so  steep,  one  is  ready  to  con- 
clude, that  they  were  some  feet  below,  as  the 
earth  would  naturally  wear,  more  or  less,  in  that 
length  of  time.  But  they,  being  placed  toward 
the  top  of  the  hill,  the  ground  would  not  remove 
as  much  as  at  two-thirds,  perhaps.  Another 
circumstance  would  prevent  a  wearing  of  the 
earth ;  in  all  probability,  as  soon  as  timber  had 
time  to  grow,  the  hill  was  covered,  and  the 
roots  of  the  same  would  hold  the  surface.  How- 
ever, on  this  point,  I  shall  leave  every  man  to 
draw  his  own  conclusion,  and  form  his  own 
speculation.  But  suffice  to  say,  a  hole  of  suffi- 
cient depth  was  dug.  At  the  bottom  of  this  was 
laid  a  stone  of  suitable  size,  the  upper  surface 
being  smooth.  At  each  edge  was  placed  a  large 
quantity  of  cement,  and  into  this  cement,  at  the 


300     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

four  edges  of  the  stone,  were  placed  erect  four 
others  ;  their  bottom  edges  resting  in  the  ce- 
ment, at  the  outer  edges  of  the  first  stone.  The 
four  last  named,  when  placed  erect,  formed  a 
box ;  the  corners,  or  where  the  edges  of  the 
four  came  in  contact,  were  also  cemented  so 
firmly  that  the  moisture  from  without  was  pre- 
vented from  entering.  It  is  to  be  observed,  also, 
that  the  inner  surface  of  the  four  erect  or  side 
stones  were  smooth.  This  box  was  sufficiently 
large  to  admit  a  breast-plate,  such  as  was  used 
by  the  ancients,  to  defend  the  chest,  &c.,  from 
the  arrows  and  weapons  of  their  enemy.  From 
the  bottom  of  the  box,  or  from  the  breast-plate, 
arose  three  small  pillars,  composed  of  the  same 
description  of  cement  used  on  the  edges  ;  and 
'  upon  these  three  pillars  were  placed  the  re- 
cords.' 

"  *  This  box,  containing  the  records,  was 
covered  with  another  stone,  the  bottom  surface 
being  flat,  and  the  tipper  crowning.'  When  it 
was  first  visited  by  Mr.  Smith,  on  the  morning 
of  the  22d  of  September,  1823,  *  a  part  of  the 
crowning  stone  was  visible  above  the  surface, 
while  the  edges  were  concealed  by  the  soil  arid 
grass,'  from  which  circumstance  it  maybe  seen, 
'that  however  deep  this  box  might  have  been 
placed  at  first,  the  time  had  been  sufficient  to 
wear  the  earth,  so  that  it  was  easily  discovered, 
when  once  directed,  and  yet,  not  enough  to 
make  a  perceivable  difference  to  the  passer-by.'* 

*  How  does  this  correspond  with  the  repeated  assertion, 
that  they  were  "  dug  up  from  the  bowels  of  the  earth  ?" 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     301 

"  After  arriving  at  the  repository,  a  little  ex- 
ertion in  removing  the  soil  from  the  edges  of 
the  top  of  the  box,  and  a  light  pry,  brought  to 
his  vision  its  contents. 

"  These  records  were  engraved  on  plates, 
which  had  the  appearance  of  gold.  Each  plate 
was  not  far  from  seven  by  eight  inches  in  width 
and  length,  being  not  quite  as  thick  as  common 
tin.  They  were  filled  on  both  sides  with  en- 
gravings, in  Egyptian  characters,  and  bound 
together  in  a  volume,  as  the  leaves  of  a  book, 
and  fastened  at  one  edge  with  three  rings  run- 
ning through  the  whole.  This  volume  was 
something  near  six  inches  in  thickness,  a  part 
of  which  was  sealed.  The  characters  or  let- 
ters upon  the  unsealed  part  were  small  and 
beautifully  engraved.  The  whole  book  exhi- 
bited many  marks  of  antiquity  in  its  construc- 
tion, as  well  as  much  skill  in  the  art  of  engrav- 
ing. With  the  records  was  found  '  a  curious 
instrument,  called  by  the  ancients  the  Urim  and 
Thummim,  which  consisted  of  two  transparent 
stones,  clear  as  crystal,  set  in  the  two  rims  of 
a  bow.  This  was  in  use,  in  ancient  times,  by 
persons  called  seers.  It  was  an  instrument,  by 
the  use  of  which  they  received  revelations  of 
things  distant,  or  of  things  past  or  future.'  " 

There  is  no  other  particular  in  which  the 
writer  of  the  Book  of  Mormon  actually  mani- 
fests so  much  of  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  as  re- 
specting the  objections  his  production  would 
have  to  encounter.  His  contrivance  to  fore- 
stall said  objections  is  detected  in  the  bias- 


302     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

phemous  imputation  of  the  following,  and  much 
more  similar  language,  to  the  Deity. 

"  Wo  be  unto  him  that  shall  say,  We  have  re- 
ceived the  word  of  God,  and  we  need  no  more  of  the 
word  of  God,  for  we  have  enough. 

"  And  my  words  shall  hiss  forth  unto  the  ends  of 
the  earth,  for  a  standard  unto  my  people,  which  are 
of  the  house  of  Israel.  And  because  my  words  shall 
hiss  forth,  many  of  the  Gentiles  shall  say,  A  Bible, 
a  Bible,  we  have  got  a  Bible,  and  there  cannot  be 
any  more  Bible.  But  thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  O 
fools,  they  shall  have  a  Bible  ;  and  it  shall  proceed 
forth  from  the  Jews,  mine  ancient  covenant  people. 
And  what  thank  they  the  Jews  for  the  Bible  which 
they  receive  from  them  1  Yea,  what  do  the  Gentiles 
mean  ? 

"  But  behold,  I  will  return  all  these  things  upon 
your  own  heads  :  for  I  the  Lord  hath  not  forgotten 
rny  people.  Thou  fool,  that  shall  say,  A  Bible,  we 
have  got  a  Bible,  and  we  need  no  more  Bible.  Have 
ye  obtained  a  Bible,  save  it  were  by  the  Jews  1 

"  And  because  that  I  have  spoken  one  word,  ye 
need  not  suppose  that  I  cannot  speak  another ;  for 
my  work  is  not  yet  finished  ;  neither  shall  it  be,  until 
the  end  of  man  ;  neither  from  that  time  henceforth 
and  for  ever. 

"  Wherefore,  because  that  ye  have  a  Bible,  ye  need 
not  suppose  that  it  contains  all  my  words ;  neither 
need  ye  suppose  that  I  have  not  caused  more  to  be 
written  :  for  I  command  all  men,  both  in  the  east,  and 
in  the  west,  and  in  the  north,  and  in  the  south,  and  in 
the  islands  of  the  sea,  that  they  shall  write  the  words 
which  I  speak  unto  them." 

In  view  of  the  above  extracts,  the  reader  can 
determine  how  much  either  of  honesty  or  of 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    303 

consistency  there  is  in  the  Mormons  now  say- 
ing that  they  are  misrepresented  and  persecuted 
when  their  book  is  called  the  Mormon  Bible. 
That  it  was  written  and  published  as  such,  its 
own  text  proves  ;  and  to  deny  this,  as  is  now 
generally  done,  is  a  departure  from  truth. 

It  is  generally  known  that  the  story  respect- 
ing the  origin  of  this  book  was  contrived  with 
reference  to  the  expressions  of  Isaiah  xxix,  11, 
respecting  the  vision  which  had  become  as  the 
words  of  a  book.  Thus  its  "  coming  forth"  is 
urged  to  be  a  fulfilment  of  Scripture  prophecy. 
The  Mormon  caricature  of  that  prophecy  is 
found  in  the  second  book  of  Nephi,  and  reads 
as  follows  : — 

"  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  the  Lord  God  shall 
bring  forth  unto  you  the  words  of  a  book,  and  they 
shall  be  the  words  of  them  which  have  slumbered. 
And  behold,  the  book  shall  be  sealed  ;  and  in  the  book 
shall  be  a  revelation  from  God,  from  the  beginning  of 
the  world,  to  the  ending  thereof.  Wherefore,  because 
of  the  things  which  are  sealed  up,  the  things  which 
are  sealed  shall  not  be  delivered  in  the  day  of  the 
wickedness  and  abominations  of  the  people.  Where- 
fore the  book  shall  be  kept  from  them.  But  the  book 
shall  be  delivered  unto  a  man,  and  he  shall  deliver  the 
words  of  the  book,  which  are  the  words  of  those  who 
have  slumbered  in  the  dust ;  and  he  shall  deliver 
these  words  unto  another ;  but  the  words  which  are 
sealed  he  shall  not  deliver,  neither  shall  he  deliver 
the  book. 

"  Wherefore,  at  that  day  when  the  book  shall  be 
delivered  unto  the  man  of  whom  I  have  spoken,  the 
book  shall  be  hid  from  the  eyes  of  the  world,  that  the 
eyes  of  none  shall  behold  it,  save  it  be  that  three  wit- 


304     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

nesses  shall  behold  it,  by  the  power  of  God,  besides 
him  to  whom  the  book  shall  be  delivered  ;  and  they 
shall  testify  to  the  truth  of  the  book,  and  the  things 
therein.  And  there  is  none  other  which  shall  view 
it,  save  it  be  a  few,  according  to  the  will  of  God, 
to  bear  testimony  of  his  word  unto  the  children  of 
men. 

"  But  behold,  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  the  Lord 
God  shall  say  unto  him  to  whom  he  shall  deliver  the 
book,  Take  these  words  which  are  not  sealed,  and 
deliver  them  to  another,  that  he  may  shew  them  unto 
the  learned,  saying,  Read  this,  I  pray  thee.  And  the 
learned  shall  say,  Bring  hither  the  book,  and  I  will 
read  them  :  and  now,  because  of  the  glory  of  the 
world,  and  to  get  gain,  will  they  say  this,  and  not  for 
the  glory  of  God.  And  the  man  shall  say,  I  cannot 
bring  the  book,  for  it  is  sealed.  Then  shall  the  learn- 
ed say,  I  cannot  read  it.  Wherefore,  it  shall  come 
to  pass  that  the  Lord  God  will  deliver  again  the  book, 
and  the  words  thereof,  to  him  that  is  not  learned  ; 
and  the  man  that  is  not  learned  shall  say,  I  am  not 
learned.  Then  shall  the  Lord  God  say  unto  him, 
The  learned  shall  not  read  them,  for  they  have  re- 
jected them,  and  I  am  able  to  do  mine  own  work ; 
wherefore,  thou  shalt  read  the  words  which  I  shall 
give  unto  thee." 

We  have  hitherto  omitted  to  mention,  that 
while  the  Golden  Bible  was  in  process  of  fabri- 
cation, Martin  Harris  was  sent  to  New-York 
to  present  a  scrawl  of  singular  marks  to  certain 
learned  gentlemen  of  that  city.  As  these  marks 
meant  nothing,  of  course  they  could  not  be  read ; 
so  they  were  carried  back  to  the  man  that  was 
not  learned. 

Out  of  this  circumstance  a  story  was  framed. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    305 

very  plausible  to  those  ignorant  of  its  falsity, 
and  which  has  been  diligently  used,  up  to  this 
day,  in  making  proselytes  to  Mormonism.  What 
can  be  clearer  proof  of  a  disposition  to  deceive, 
at  the  expense  of  every  semblance  of  truth, 
than  to  persist  in  asserting,  as  the  Mormon 
teachers  do,  that  the  prophecy  of  Isaiah  was 
literally  fulfilled  in  the  origin  of  the  book  be- 
fore us  ? 

The  following  letter  of  Dr.  Anthon  explains 
itself,  and  the  points  under  consideration. 

"New-York,  Feb.  17,  1834. 

u  The  whole  story  about  my  having  pronounced 
the  Mormonite  inscription  to  be  l  reformed  Egyptian 
hieroglyphics'  is  perfectly  false.  Some  years  ago, 
a  plain,  and,  apparently,  simple-hearted  farmer,  call- 
ed upon  me,  with  a  note  from  Dr.  Mitchell,  of  our 
city,  now  deceased,  requesting  me  to  decipher,  if 
possible,  a  paper  which  the  farmer  would  hand  me, 
and  which  Dr.  M.  confessed  he  had  been  unable  to 
understand.  Upon  examining  the  paper  in  question, 
I  soon  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  was  all  a  trick, 
perhaps  a  hoax.  When  I  asked  the  person,  who 
brought  it,  how  he  obtained  the  writing,  he  gave  me, 
as  far  as  I  can  now  recollect,  the  following  account : — 
A  '  gold  book,'  consisting  of  a  number  of  plates  of 
gold,  fastened  together  in  the  shape  of  a  book  by 
wires  of  the  same  metal,  had  been  dug  up  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  state  of  New- York,  and,  along 
with  the  book,  an  enormous  pair  of  '  gold  specta- 
cles /'  These  spectacles  were  so  large,  that  if  a  per- 
son attempted  to  look  through  them,  his  two  eyes  would 
have  to  be  turned  toward  one  of  the  glasses  merely, 
the  spectacles  in  question%eing  altogether  too  large 
for  the  breadth  of  the  human  face.  Whoever  ex- 
20 


306    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

amined  the  plates  through  the  spectacles  was  enabled 
not  only  to  read  them,  but  fully  to  understand  their 
meaning.  All  this  knowledge,  however,  was  con- 
fined at  that  time  to  a  young  man  who  had  the  trunk, 
containing  the  book  and  spectacles,  in  his  sole  pos- 
session. This  young  man  was  placed  behind  a  cur- 
tain, in  the  garret  of  a  farm-house,  and,  being  thus 
concealed  from  view,  put  on  the  spectacles  occasion- 
ally, or  rather  looked  through  one  of  the  glasses, 
deciphered  the  characters  in  the  book,  and,  having 
committed  some  of  them  to  paper,  handed  copies  from 
behind  the  curtain  to  those  who  stood  on  the  outside. 
Not  a  word,  however,  was  said  about  the  plates  hav- 
ing been  deciphered  '  by  the  gift  of  God.'  Every 
thing,  in  this  way,  was  effected  by  the  large  pair  of 
spectacles.  The  farmer  added,  that  he  had  been  re- 
quested to  contribute  a  sum  of  money  toward  the  pub- 
lication of  the  '  golden  book,'  the  contents  of  which 
would,  as  he  had  been  assured,  produce  an  entire 
change  in  the  world,  and  save  it  from  ruin.  So 
urgent  had  been  these  solicitations,  that  he  intended 
selling  his  farm,  and  handing  over  the  amount  re- 
ceived to  those  who  wished  to  publish  the  plates. 
As  a  last  precautionary  step,  however,  he  had  re- 
solved to  come  to  New-Yorli,  and  obtain  the  opinion 
of  the  learned  about  the  meaning  of  the  paper  which 
he  brought  with  him,  and  which  had  been  given  him 
as  a  part  of  the  contents  of  the  book,  although  no 
translation  had  been  furnished  at  the  time  by  the 
young  man  with  the  spectacles.  On  hearing  this  odd 
story,  I  changed  my  opinion  about  the  paper,  and, 
instead  of  viewing  it  any  longer  as  a  hoax  upon  the 
learned,  I  began  to  regard  it  as  part  of  a  scheme  to 
cheat  the  farmer  of  his  money,  and  I  communicated 
my  suspicions  to  him,  warning  him  to  beware  of 
rogues.  He  requested  aji  opinion  from  me  in  writ- 
ing, which  of  course  I  declined  giving,  and  he  then 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     307 

took  his  leave,  carrying  the  paper  with  him.  This 
paper  was,  in  fact,  a  singular  scrawl.  It  consisted 
of  all  kinds  of  crooked  characters,  disposed  in  co- 
lumns, and  had  evidently  been  prepared  by  some 
person  who  had  before  him,  at  the  time,  a  book  con- 
taining various  alphabets.  Greek  and  Hebrew  let- 
ters, crosses  and  flourishes,  Roman  letters  inverted 
or  placed  sideways,  were  arranged  in  perpendicular 
columns,  and  the  whole  ended  in  a  rude  delineation 
of  a  circle  divided  into  various  compartments,  decked 
with  various  strange  marks,  and  evidently  copied 
after  the  Mexican  calendar,  given  by  Humboldt,  but 
copied  in  such  a  way  as  not  to  betray  the  source 
whence  it  was  derived.  I  am  thus  particular,  as  to 
the  contents  of  the  paper,  inasmuch  as  I  have  fre- 
quently conversed  with  my  friends  on  the  subject, 
since  the  Mormonite  excitement  began,  and  well  re- 
member that  the  paper  contained  any  thing  else  but 
'  Egyptian  hieroglyphics?  Some  time  after,  the 
farmer  paid  me  a  second  visit.  He  brought  with 
him  the  golden  book  in  print,  and  offered  it  to  me  for 
sale.  I  declined  purchasing.  He  then  asked  per- 
mission to  leave  the  book  with  me  for  examination. 
I  declined  receiving  it,  although  his  manner  was 
strangely  urgent.  I  adverted  once  more  to  the 
roguery  which  had  been,  in  my  opinion,  practised 
upon  him,  and  asked  him  what  had  become  of  the 
gold  plates.  He  informed  me  that  they  were  in  a 
trunk  with  the  large  pair  of  spectacles.  I  advised 
him  to  go  to  a  magistrate,  and  have  the  trunk  exa- 
mined. He  said  the  '  curse  of  God'  would  come 
upon  him  should  he  do  this.  On  my  pressing  him, 
however,  to  pursue  the  course  which  I  had  recom- 
mended, he  told  me  that  he  would  open  the  trunk,  if 
I  would  take  the  *  curse  of  God'  upon  myself.  I 
replied  that  I  would  do  so  with  the  greatest  willing- 
ness, and  would  incur  every  risk  of  that  nature,  pro- 


308    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

vided  I  could  only  extricate  him  from  the  grasp  of 
rogues.     He  then  left  me. 

"  I  have  thus  given  you  a  full  statement  of  all  that 
I  know  respecting  the  origin  of  Mormonism,  and 
must  beg  you,  as  a  personal  favour,  to  publish  this 
letter  immediately,  should  you  find  my  name  men- 
tioned again  by  these  wretched  fanatics.  Yours  re- 
spectfully, CHARLES  ANTHON." 

We  had  designed  to  notice  various  other 
topics,  involving  inconsistencies  equal  to  those 
we  have  already  pointed  out,  and  possibly  still 
more  palpable.  We  must  now,  however,  close 
this  review  with  two  extracts,  showing  that  the 
Book  of  Mormon  bears  the  broad  impress  of 
Campbellism,  which  is  not  yet  quite  fourteen 
hundred  years  old ! 

In  it  immersion  for  the  remission  of  sins  is 
represented  as  having  been  practised  long  pre- 
vious to  the  Christian  era. 

It  gives,  moreover,  the  following  account  of 
the  institution  of  the  RITE  OF  IMMERSION  at  the 
epoch  of  Christ's  personal  appearance  to  the 
Nephites. 

"  And  he  said  unto  them,  On  this  wise  shall  ye 
baptize  ;  and  there  shall  be  no  disputations  among 
you.  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  whoso  repenteth 
of  his  sins  through  your  words,  and  desireth  to  be 
baptized  in  my  name,  on  this  wise  shall  ye  baptize 
them  :  behold,  ye  shall  go  down  and  stand  in  the 
water,  and  in  my  name  shall  ye  baptize  them.  And 
now  behold,  these  are  the  words  which  ye  shall  say, 
calling  them  by  name,  saying,  Having  authority 
given  me  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  baptize  you  in  the  name 
of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     309 

Amen.      And  then  shall  ye  immerse  them  in  the 
water,  and  come  forth  again  out  of  the  water." 

It  again  treats  expressly  upon  the  wicked- 
ness of  infant  baptism. 

"  And  after  this  manner  did  the  Holy  Ghost  mani- 
fest the  word  of  God  unto  me ;  wherefore,  my  be- 
loved son,  I  know  that  it  is  solemn  mockery  before 
God,  that  ye  should  baptize  little  children.  Behold, 
I  say  unto  you,  that  this  thing  shall  ye  teach,  repent- 
ance and  baptism  unto  those  who  are  accountable 
and  capable  of  committing  sin  ;  yea,  teach  parents 
that  they  must  repent  and  be  baptized,  and  humble 
themselves  as  their  little  children,  and  they  shall  all 
be  saved  with  their  little  children  :  and  their  little 
children  need  no  repentance,  neither  baptism.  Be- 
hold, baptism  is  unto  repentance,  to  the  fulfilling  the 
commandments,  unto  the  remission  of  sins.  But 
little  children  are  alive  in  Christ,  even  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world  ;  if  not  so,  God  is  a  partial 
God,  and  also  a  changeable  God,  and  a  respecter  to 
persons  ;  for  how  many  little  children  have  died 
without  baptism.  Wherefore,  if  little  children  could 
not  be  saved  without  baptism,  these  must  have  gone 
to  an  endless  hell.  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  he 
that  supposeth  that  little  children  need  baptism,  is  in 
the  gall  of  bitterness,  and  in  the  bonds  of  iniquity  ; 
for  he  hath  neither  faith,  hope,  nor  charity  ;  where- 
fore, should  he  be  cut  off  while  in  the  thought,  he 
must  go  down  to  hell.  For  awful  is  the  wickedness 
to  suppose  that  God  saveth  one  child  because  of  bap- 
tism, and  the  other  must  perish  because  he  hath  no 
baptism.  Wo  be  unto  him  that  shall  pervert  the 
ways  of  the  Lord  after  this  manner,  for  they  shall 
perish,  except  they  repent.  Behold,  I  speak  with 
boldness,  having  authority  from  God  ;  and  I  fear  not 
what  man  can  do,  for  perfect  love  casteth  out  all 


310     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

fear ;  and  I  am  filled  with  charity,  which  is  ever- 
lasting love ;  wherefore,  all  children  are  alike  unto 
me  ;  wherefore,  I  love  little  children  with  a  perfect 
love ;  and  they  are  all  alike,  and  partakers  of  salva- 
tion. For  I  know  that  God  is  not  a  partial  God, 
neither  a  changeable  being  ;  but  he  is  unchangeable 
from  all  eternity  to  all  eternity.  Little  children 
cannot  repent ;  wherefore,  it  is  awful  wickedness  to 
deny  the  pure  mercies  of  God  unto  them,  for  they 
are  all  alive  in  him  because  of  his  mercy.  And  he 
that  saith  that  little  children  need  baptism,  denieth 
the  mercies  of  Christ,  and  setteth  at  naught  the  atone- 
ment of  him,  and  the  power  of  his  redemption.  Wo 
unto  such,  for  they  are  in  danger  of  death,  hell,  and 
an  endless  torment.  I  speak  it  boldly — God  hath 
commanded  me." 

We  presume  no  intelligent  advocate  for  im- 
mersion, or  respectable  opponent  to  infant  bap- 
tism, will  be  in  the  least  grateful  for  the  authority 
thus  furnished  in  favour  of  his  sentiments. 

We  now  take  leave  of  the  Book  of  Mormon. 
If  any  one  desires  to  learn  more  of  its  absurdi- 
ties than  we  have  exposed,  we  refer  him  to  the 
book  itself,  where  he  cannot  fail  to  be  satisfied. 
It  does  not  contain  a  single  statement  which 
can  be  verified  by  Mr.  Leslie's  celebrated  rules 
for  determining  matters  of  fact.  On  the  con- 
trary, its  whole  narrative  is  an  outrage  on  com- 
mon sense,  interwoven  with  tasteless  but  sanc- 
timonious declamation,  ad  captandum  vulgus. 
Nevertheless,  it  is  probably  the  most  successful 
attempt  ever  made  to  counterfeit  a  divine  reve- 
lation. As  such,  it  affords  a  lesson  even  to  the 
infidel.  From  it  he  may  learn  the  impossi- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     311 

bility  of  imposing  deception,  upon  its  own 
grounds,  on  any  considerable  portion  of  man- 
kind. We  have  exposed  many  of  the  tricks, 
and  alluded  to  the  general  system  of  duplicity 
by  which  Mormonism  has  thus  far  been  propa- 
gated. 

Probably  in  the  whole  history  of  the  delusion 
there  never  has  occurred  a  single  instance  of  a 
frank  development  of  their  peculiar  tenets  be- 
fore an  uninitiated  audience.  The  elders  are 
expressly  instructed  not  to  declare  any  thing 
more  than  the  first  principles  to  those  who  are 
unbelievers,  "  leaving  the  further  mysteries  of 
the  kingdom"  until  afterward. 

It  is  not  an  uncommon  thing  to  see  handbills 
posted  up  in  our  streets,  setting  forth  various 
items  about  the  fulness  of  the  gospel,  and  pro- 
mising to  gratify  the  curiosity  generally  felt  to 
know  what  the  Latter-day  Saints  do  believe. 
When  they  can  thus  collect  an  assembly,  the 
first  endeavour  of  the  Mormons  is  to  establish 
themselves  on  a  parallel  with  Christians,  as 
believers  in  the  Bible,  and  its  cardinal  doctrines. 
They  are  then  ready  to  flourish  upon  any  topic 
which  may  be  most  popular,  at  the  same  time 
hinting  that  great  mysteries  are  to  be  revealed 
further  on. 

That  the  reader  may  be  thoroughly  furnished 
with  this  scheme  of  duplicity,  we  give  below 
their  publicly  professed  creed,  in  comparison 
with  other  doctrines  and  precepts  maintained 
with  equal  strenuousness  by  them,  but  generally 
held  in  reserve  for  a  "  convenient  season." 


312 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 


Their  own  authorized  publications  constitute 
our  authority  in  both  cases,  with  the  exception 
of  a  few  extracts  from  Mr.  Corrill : — 


SHOW  OF  CHRISTIANITY. 

1.  "The  'Latter-day 
Saints'  believe  in  the  true 
and  living  God,  and  in  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  who 
was  crucified  according  to 
the  Scriptures,  and  who  rose 
from  the  dead  the  third  day, 
and  is  now  seated  at  the 
right  hand  of  God  as  a  me- 
diator." 

2.  "We  also  believe  in 
the  Holy  Scriptures  of  the 
prophets   and    apostles,    as 
being  profitable  for  doctrine, 
reproof,  correction,  and  in- 
struction  in   righteousness, 
&c.  ;  and  that  all  mysticism 
or  private  interpretation  of 
them  ought  to  be  done  away. 
The   Scriptures    should  be 
taught,      understood,      and 
practised  in  their  most  plain, 
simple,     easy,     and    literal 
sense,  according  to  the  com- 
mon laws  and  usage  of  the 
language    in    which     they 
stand  ;  according  to  the  le- 
gitimate meaning  of  words 
and  sentences,  precisely  the 
same  as  if  found  in  any  other 
book." 

3.  "We  hold   it  as  the 
duty  of  all   men  to  believe 
the  gospel,  to  repent  of  their 
sins,  and  to  be  immersed  in 


MORMONISM    PROPER. 

1.  "  We  worship  a  God 
who  has  both  body  and 
parts." — "Matter  is  eternal, 
uncreated,  and  self-exist- 
ing."— "  It  is  impossible  for 
God  to  originate  matter  from 
nonentity;"  that  is,  to  cre- 
ate a  world. 


2.  "  We  testify  our  faith 
in  immediate  revelation  from 
God,  and  the  administration 
of  angels."  These  immedi- 
ate revelations  come  through 
Joseph  Smith.  "  They  es- 
teem the  law  of  God,  as 
given  through  their  prophet, 

VASTLY  SUPERIOR  TO  ANY 
OTHER  LAW." 


3.  "If  this  building  [the 
Nauvoo  temple]  is  not  com- 
pleted SPEEDILY,  we  shall 
be  rejected  as  a  church,  with 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 


313 


water  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ  FOR  REMISSION  OF 
SINS.  And  we  hold,  that  all 
who  do  this  in  a  proper  man- 
ner, and  under  proper  autho- 
rity are  legally  entitled  to 
the  remission  of  sins,  and 
to  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
according  to  the  Scriptures." 
4.  "  Infant  baptism  is  of 
no  use." — "It  is  solemn 
mockery  before  God." — 
"Awful  wickedness."— Book 
of  Mormon. 


5.  "  The  '  Latter-day 
Saints,'  after  immersion,  lay 
on  hands  in  the  name  of  Je- 
sus Christ  for  the  gift  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  according  to 
the  ancient  pattern.  They 
are  then  considered  saints, 
or  members  of  the  church 
of  Christ,  in  full  fellowship 

and   communion." "We 

believe  that  the  church  of 
Christ  should  be  organized 
according  to  the  New  Tes- 
tament pattern." 


6.  "  As  to  the  signs  of 
the  times,  we  believe  that 
the  gathering  of  Israel,  and 
the  second  advent  of  Messi- 


our  dead,  for  the  Lord  our 
God  hath  spoken  it." — "In- 
dividuals come  under  the 
same  condemnation." — Ep. 
of  the  Twelve, 


4.  "  The  members  of  the 
church  are  required  to  bring 
their  children   under  eight 
years  old  into  meeting,  and 
have  the    elders  lay  hands 
on  and  bless  them."  When 
the  children  are  eight  years 
old,  it  is  the  duty  of  parents 
to  have  them  baptized  into 
the  church. 

5.  "  We  wish  it  to  be  un- 
derstood distinctly,  that  the 
organization  of  this  church 
came  by  express  command- 
ment   and   revelation    from 
the  Almighty."    In  the  fol- 
lowing   order,    viz.  :     The 
Melchizedek  priesthood,  in- 
cluding the  first  presidency 
and  high  council  of  Zion. 
2.  The  Aaronic  priesthood, 
in  which  are  embraced  the 
travelling  high  council,  the 
quorum  of  the  seventy  eld- 
ers,   &c.,    &c. — Book    of 
Mormon  and  Book  of  Doc- 
trines and  Covenants. 

6.  "  Lieutenant   General 
Joseph   Smith   desires  ALL 
HIS  FRIENDS  to  attach  them- 
selves  to    some    company, 


314 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 


ah,  with  all  the  great  events 
connected  therewith,  are 
near  at  hand.  That  it  is 
time  for  the  saints  to  GA- 
THER together,  and  prepare 
for  the  same." 

7.  "  We  have  implicit 
confidence  in  the  '  Book  of 
Mormon,'  not,  however,  as 
a  new  Bible  to  exclude  the 
old,  as  some  have  falsely 
represented.  We  consider 
the  '  Book  of  Mormon'  as  a 
historical  and  religious  re- 
cord, written  in  ancient 
times  by  a  branch  of  the 
house  of  Israel,  who  peopled 
America,  and  from  whom 
the  Indians  are  descended. 
The  '  Book  of  Mormon'  cor- 
roborates and  confirms  the 
truth  of  the  Scriptures,  by 
showing  that  the  same  prin- 
ciples were  revealed  and 
enjoyed  in  a  country  and 
among  a  people  far  remote 
from  the  scenes  where  the 
Jewish  Bible  was  written." 


either  in  the  first  or  second 

COHORT  Of  the  NAUVOO  LE- 
GION. This  will  enable  them 
to  receive  CORRECT  MILI- 
TARY INSTRUCTION." 

7.  "  Behold  they  [the  pro- 
phecies of  the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon] shall  proceed  forth 
out  of  the  mouth  of  the 
everlasting  God ;  and  his 
word  shall  hiss  forth  from 
generation  to  generation. 
And  God  shall  show  unto 
you  that  what  I  have  written 
is  true." — Moroni. 

"  O  fools !  they  shall  have 
a  Bible  ;  and  it  shall  proceed 
forth  from  the  Jews,  mine 
ancient  covenant  people." 
— Nephi. 

"  Those  that  harden  their 
hearts  in  unbelief,  and  reject 
it,  it  shall  turn  to  their  own 
condemnation." — Doct.  and 
Covenants. 


It  appears  from  the  Mormon  newspaper,  that 
some  of  the  elders  from  time  to  time  have  been 
disposed  to  carry  out  to  their  proper  results  the 
theological  principles  they  had  imbibed.  Un- 
happily, a  veto  was  placed  upon  their  investi- 
gations, lest  the  whole  fabric  of  deception  should 
be  overthrown.  Witness  the  following  charge 
of  the  twelve  to  the  elders  at  large : — 

"  We  have  heard  of  some  foolish  vagaries, 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     315 

and  wild  speculations,  originating  only  in  a 
disordered  imagination,  which  are  set  forth 
by  some,  telling  what  occupation  they  had 
before  they  came  into  this  world,  and  what 
they  would  be  employed  with  after  they  leave 
this  state  of  existence ;  those,  and  other 
vain  imaginations,  we  would  warn  the  elders 
against,  because  if  they  listen  to  such  things, 
they  will  fall  into  the  snare  of  the  devil,  and 
when  the  trying  time  comes,  they  will  be  over- 
thrown." 

The  prophet  has  on  several  occasions  been 
obliged  to  use  all  his  tact  and  talent,  in  order 
to  put  down  rivalry.  Nor  is  it  wonderful  that 
so  great  a  man  should  have  imitators,  and  that 
his  success  in  getting  up  revelations  should 
inspire  his  followers  with  a  desire  to  walk  in 
his  footsteps.  Had  Smith  been  present  at  the 
conference,  the  minutes  of  which  are  subjoined, 
the  accused  might  with  great  propriety  have 
addressed  to  him  the  words  of  the  pirate  to 
Alexander  the  Great :  "  Sir,  there  is  no  differ- 
ence between  us,  but  in  the  name  and  the  means 
of  doing  mischief." 

"  At  a  conference  meeting  of  the  branch  of 
the  church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints, 
in  the  city  of  New-York,  held  at  the  house  of 
Elder  G.  J.  Adams,  agreeably  to  previous  ap- 
pointment, on  the  evening  of  Dec.  4th,  1840; 
Elder  Orson  Hyde  was  unanimously  chosen 
chairman  of  the  meeting,  and  Elder  L.  R.  Fos- 
ter, clerk. 

"  The  meeting  was  opened  by  singing, '  Guide 


316    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

us,  O  thou  great  Jehovah,'  &c.,  and  by  the  pre- 
sident addressing  the  throne  of  grace. 

"  The  president  then  read  from  Rev.  ii,  12, 
and  onward.  After  a  few  preliminary  remarks, 
the  president  proceeded  to  give  his  reasons  for 
believing  that  the  spirit  which  had  been  mani- 
fested among  us,  since  the  coming  of  Elder  Sid- 
ney Roberts,  was  not  from  the  Lord. 

"  The  items  objected  to  are,  having  a  reve- 
lation that  a  certain  brother  must  give  him  a 
suit  of  clothes,  and  a  gold  watch,  the  best  that 
could  be  had ;  also,  saluting  the  sisters  with 
what  he  calls  a  holy  kiss,  taking  them  on  his 
lap,  and  putting  his  arms  around  them,  &c. 

"  The  accused,  Sidney  Roberts,  answered 
for  himself;  he  spoke  at  some  length,  and  at- 
tempted to  justify  himself  concerning  these 
things.  After  remarks  by  several  brethren,  the 
president  proposed  that  if  he  would  confess  his 
transgressions,  he  might  retain  his  membership, 
but  that  his  license  must  be  demanded.  He 
arose  and  stated,  that  he  knew  the  revelations 
which  he  had  spoken,  were  from  God,  and  that 
he  had  no  confession  to  make  ;  whereupon,  the 
conference  cut  him  off  from  the  church,  and 
demanded  his  license,  which  he  refused  to 
give  up." 

There  is  scarcely  any  feature  of  Mormonism 
more  heart-sickening  than  the  tyranny  which 
it  succeeds  in  maintaining  over  all  who  become 
its  victims.  So  long  as  the  saints  are  obedient 
to  the  mandates  of  the  prophet  and  his  cabinet, 
all  goes  on  well.  A  departure  from  such  course, 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     317 

by  presuming  to  think  or  to  act  for  themselves, 
brings  down  upon  them  maledictions  which 
they  seem  to  dread  worse  than  the  very  curses 
of  Heaven.  What  degradation  could  be  more 
abject  than  that  of  W.  W.  Phelps,  as  repre- 
sented in  the  following  extracts.  He  had  been 
for  years  one  of  the  most  active  and  efficient 
promoters  of  Mormonism,but  having,  as  it  would 
appear,  come  back  for  a  season  to  be  influenced 
cither  by  reason  or  by  conscience,  he  had  ab- 
jured the  system.  If  this  was  not  the  head  and 
front  of  his  offending,  certainly  no  more  is  spe- 
cified below  : — 

"  Dayton,  Ohio,  June  29,  1840. 
"  BROTHER  JOSEPH, — T  am  alive,  and  with 
the  help  of  God,  I  mean  to  live  still.  I  am  as 
a  prodigal  son,  though  I  never  doubt  or  disbe- 
lieve the  fulness  of  the  gospel :  I  have  been 
greatly  abased  and  humbled  :  and  I  blessed  the 
God  of  Israel,  when  I  lately  read  your  prophetic 
blessing  on  my  head,  as  follows:  'The  Lord 
will  chasten  him,  because  he  taketh  honour  to 
himself,  and  when  his  soul  is  greatly  humbled, 
he  will  forsake  the  evil,  then  shall  the  light  of 
the  Lord  break  upon  him,  as  at  noon-day,  and 
in  him  shall  be  no  darkness,'  &c.  I  have  seen 
the  folly  of  my  way,  and  I  tremble  at  the  gulf 
I  have  passed  :  so  it  is,  and  why  I  know  not. 
I  prayed,  and  God  answered,  but  what  could  I 
do?  Says  I,  I  will  repent  and  live,  and  ask 
my  old  brethren  to  forgive  me,  and  though  they 
chasten  one  to  death,  yet  /  will  die  with  them, 
for  their  God  is  my  God.  The  least  place  with 


318     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

them   is   enough  for  me  ;  yea,  it  is  larger  and 
better  than  all  Babylon. 

"  I  know  my  situation,  you  know  it,  and  God 
knows  it,  and  I  want  to  be  saved,  if  my  friends 
will  help  rne.  Like  the  captain  that  was  cast 
away  on  a  desert  island,  when  he  got  off  he 
went  to  sea  again,  and  made  his  fortune  the 
next  time.  So  let  my  lot  be.  I  have  done 
wrong,  and  I  am  sorry.  The  beam  is  in  my 
own  eye.  I  have  not  walked  with  my  friends 
according  to  my  holy  anointing.  I  ask  forgive- 
ness in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  of  all  the  saints, 
for  I  will  do  right,  God  helping  me.  I  want 
your  fellowship  :  if  you  cannot  grant  that,  grant 
me  your  peace  and  friendship,  for  we  are  bre- 
thren, and  our  communion  used  to  be  sweet. 
And  whenever  the  Lord  brings  us  together 
again,  /  will  make  all  the  satisfaction  on  every 
point  that  saints  or  God  can  require.  Amen. 
"W.  W.  PHELPS. 

"  To  presidents  Joseph  Smith,  Hyrum  Smith, 
Sidney  Rigdon,  &c." 

"DEAR  BRETHREN, — Brother  Phelps  requests 
us  to  write  a  few  lines  in  his  letter,  and  we 
cheerfully  embrace  the  opportunity.  Brother 
Phelps  says  he  wants  to  live,  and  we  want  he 
should  live  :  but  we  do  not  feel  ourselves  au- 
thorized to  act  upon  his  case,  but  have  recom- 
mended him  to  you ;  but  he  says  that  his  poverty 
•will  not  allow  him  to  visit  you  in  person  at  this 
time,  and  we  think  he  tells  the  truth.  We  there- 
fore advised  him  to  write,  which  he  has  done. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     319 

He  tells  us,  verbally,  that  he  is  willing  to  make 
any  sacrifice  to  procure  your  fellowship,  LIFE  not 
excepted ;  yet  reposing  that  confidence  in  your 
magnanimity,  that  you  will  take  no  advantage 
of  his  open  and  frank  confession.  If  he  can 
obtain  your  fellowship,  he  wants  to  come  to 
Commerce  as  soon  as  he  can.  But  if  he  can- 
not be  received  into  the  fellowship  of  the  church, 
he  must  do  the  best  he  can  in  banishment  and 
exile. 

"  Brethren,  with  you  are  the  keys  of  the  king- 
dom: to  you  is  power  given  to  '  exert  your  cle- 
mency, or  display  your  vengeance.'  By  the 
former  you  will  save  a  soul  from  death,  and  hide 
a  multitude  of  sins  :  by  the  latter  you  will  for 
ever  discourage  a  returning  prodigal,  cause  sor- 
row without  benefit,  pain  without  pleasure,  end- 
ing in  wretchedness  and  despair. 

"  But  former  experience  teaches  that  you  are 
workmen  in  the  art  of  saving  men  :  therefore, 
with  the  greatest  confidence,  do  we  recommend 
to  your  clemency  and  favourable  consideration 
the  author  and  subject  of  this  communication. 

"  In  the  bonds  of  the  covenant. 

"O.  HYDE, 
"  J.  E.  PAGE." 

If  any  additional  proof  were  needed  to  show 
that  Mormonism  is  a  sheer  delusion,  it  would 
be  amply  furnished  in  the  experience  of  the 
many  who  have  renounced  it  as  such,  including 
a  majority  of  the  original  witnesses  to  the  Book 
of  Mormon,  notwithstanding  all  the  obstacles 


320     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

thrown  in  their  way.  Without  alluding  to 
others,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  Oliver  Cowde- 
ry,  the  confidential  scribe  of  Smith  while  get- 
ting up  the  Book  of  Mormon,  one  of  the  three 
witnesses,  the  first  convert  and  the  first  apostle 
of  Mormonism,  has  long  since  withdrawn  him- 
self from  the  whole  concern.  Thereby  he  has 
given  to  the  world  a  virtual  acknowledgment 
that,  he  had  been  made  the  tool  of  designing 
and  wicked  men. 

If  this  circumstance  had  been  his  misfortune 
merely,  and  not  his  fault,  he  would  probably 
have  taken  his  leave  of  the  prophet  on  the  issue 
of  the  following  REVELATION,  given  April,  1829, 
to  Oliver  Cowdery  : — "  Behold  you  have  not 
understood ;  you  have  supposed  that  I  must 
give  it  [the  translation  of  the  golden  plates] 
unto  you,  when  you  take  no  thought,  save  it 
were  to  ask  me.  But,  behold,  I  say  unto  you, 
that  you  must  study  it  out  in  your  mind  ;  that 
you  must  ask  me  if  it  be  right ;  and  if  it  is  right, 
I  will  cause  your  bosom  shall  burn  within  you  ; 
then  you  shall  feel  that  it  is  right.  But  if  it  be 
not  right,  you  shall  not  have  such  feelings ;  but 
then  shall  have  a  stupor  of  thought,  that  shall 
cause  you  to  forget  those  things  which  are 
wrong." — Doct.  and  Cov.,  sec.  35. 

He,  however,  went  on  for  a  series  of  years, 
like  the  ship  of  Nephi,  driven  before  the  wind 
toward  the  promised  land.  But  never  arriving 
to  the  promised  land,  he  at  length  abandoned 
his  course  in  despair  or  disgust.  Yet  the  poor 
Mormons  refuse  to  be  instructed  by  his  exam- 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    321 

pie,  and  to  shake  off  their  fetters.    Listen  to  one 
of  their  poets. 

Amazed  with  wonder !  I  look  round, 

To  see  most  people  of  our  day 
Reject  the  glorious  gospel  sound, 

Because  the  simple  turn  away : 
But  does  it  prove  there  is  no  time, 

Because  some  watches  will  not  gol 


Or  prove  that  Christ  was  not  the  Lord, 
Because  that  Peter  cursed  and  swore, 

Or  Book  of  Mormon  not  his  word, 
Because  DENIED  by  OLIVER  1 

Or  prove  that  Joseph  Smith  is  false, 
Because  apostates  say  'tis  so  1 


O  no  !  the  wise  will  surely  say, 

No  proof  unto  the  man  that's  wise  ; 

Then  O  !  dig  deep  ye  wise  to-day  ; 
And  soon  the  truth  will  be  your  prize. 

Not  like  the  fool  who  chanced  to  see 
The  SAINT  forsake  his  heavenly  course, 

And  turn  to  sin  and  vanity, 

Then  cries,  "  Your  scheme  is  all  a  farce." 

Wonder  if  they  would  believe  Joseph  Smith 
himself  if  he  should  at  length  tell  them,  as  he 
did  Mr.  Ingersoll  in  the  outset,  that  it  was  all 
"  to  see  what  the  d d  fools  would  believe  ?" 

P.  P.  Pratt  remarks  in  his  last  letter,  that  the 
saints  would  rather  be  slaves  in  America  than 
starve  in  England :  hence  "  go  they  will,  and 
go  they  must,  or  perish."  This  is  truly  a 
lamentable  alternative.  But  in  it  we  see  no 
21 


322     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

reason  why  freeborn  Americans  should  be  will- 
ingly enslaved.  Yet  that  many  are  so,  in  the 
worst  sense,  is  evident  from  the  following  ex- 
tracts of  an  Epistle  of  the  Twelve  to  the  Saints 
of  the  Last  Days  : — 

"  The  children  of  Israel  were  commanded  to 
build  a  house  in  the  land  of  promise  ;  and  so 
are  the  saints  of  the  last  days,  as  you  will  see 
in  the  revelation  given  to  JOSEPH  [SMITH] 
the  SEER,  Jan.  19th,  1841,  wherein  those  or- 
dinances may  be  revealed  which  have  been  hid 
for  ages,  even  their  anointings,  and  washings, 
and  baptisms  for  the  dead ;  wherein  they  may 
meet  in  solemn  assemblies  for  their  memorials, 
sacrifices,  and  oracles,  in  their  most  holy  places ; 
and  wherein  they  may  receive  conversations, 
and  statutes,  and  judgments,  for  the  beginning 
of  the  revelations  and  foundations  of  Zion,  and 
the  glory,  and  honour,  and  adornment  of  all  her 
municiples,  through  the  medium  which  God  hath 
ordained. 

"  In  the  same  revelation  the  command  is  to 
'  all  the  saints  from  afar?  as  well  as  those  al- 
ready gathered  to  this  place,  to  arise  with  one 
consent  and  build  the  temple ;  to  prepare  a 
place  where  the  Most  High  may  manifest  him- 
self to  his  people.  No  one  is  excepted  who  hath 
aught  in  his  possession,  for  what  have  ye  that  ye 
have  not  received  1  and  I  will  require  mine  own 
with  usury,  saith  the  Lord  ;  so  that  those  who 
live  thousands  of  miles  from  this  place,  come 
under  the  same  law,  and  are  entitled  to  the  same 
blessings  and  privileges  as  those  who  have  al~ 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    323 

ready  gathered.  But  some  may  say,  How  can 
this  be,  I  am  not  there,  therefore  I  cannot  meet 
in  the  temple — cannot  be  baptized  in  the  font? 
The  command  of  heaven  is  to  you,  to  all,  gather : 
and  when  you  arrive  here,  if  it  is  found  that 
you  have  previously  sent  up  of  your  gold,  or 
your  silver,  or  your  substance,  the  tithings  and 
consecrations  which  are  required  of  you  for  this 
building,  you  will  find  your  names,  tithings,  and 
consecrations  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  of 
the  Lord,  to  be  kept  in  the  temple,  as  a  witness 
in  your  favour,  showing  that  you  are  a  propri- 
etor in  that  building,  and  are  entitled  to  your 
share  of  the  privileges  thereunto  belonging. 

"  One  of  tbose  privileges,  which  is  particu- 
larly attracting  the  notice  of  the  saints  at  the 
present  moment,  is  baptism  for  the  dead,  &c., 
in  the  font,  which  is  so  far  completed  as  to  be 
dedicated,  and  several  have  already  attended 
to  this  ordinance,  by  which  the  sick  have  been 
made  whole,  and  the  prisoner  set  free ;  but 
while  we  have  been  called  to  administer  this 
ordinance,  we  have  been  led  to  inquire  into  the 
propriety  of  baptizing  those  who  have  not  been 
obedient,  and  assisted  to  build  the  place  for 
baptism,  and  it  seems  to  us  unreasonable  to  ex- 
pect that  the  great  Jehovah  will  approbate  such 
an  administration  ;  for  if  the  church  must  be 
brought  under  condemnation,  and  rejected  with 
her  dead,  if  she  fail  to  build  the  house,  and  its 
appurtenances,  why  should  not  individuals  of 
the  church,  who  thus  neglect,  come  under  the 
same  condemnation  ?  And  if  they  are  to  be  re- 


324    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

jected,  they  may  as  well  be  rejected  without 
baptism  as  with,  for  their  baptism  can  be  of  no 
avail  before  God,  and  the  time  to  baptize  them 
may  be  appropriated  to  building  the  walls  of 
the  house,  and  this  is  according  to  the  under- 
standing which  we  have  received  from  him  who 
is  our  spokesman. 

"  Large  stores  of  provisions  will  be  required 
to  complete  the  work,  and  now  is  the  time  for 
securing  it,  while  meat  is  plenty,  and  can  be 
had  for  one  half  the  value  that  it  can  at  other 
seasons  of  the  year,  and  the  weather  is  cool  and 
suitable  for  packing.  Let  the  brethren,  for  two 
hundred  miles  around,  drive  their  fat  cattle  and 
hogs  to  this  place,  where  they  may  be  preserved, 
and  there  will  be  a  supply  till  another  favoura- 
ble season  rolls  round,  or  till  the  end  of  the 
labour.  Now  is  the  time  to  secure  food.  Now 
is  the  time  that  the  trustee  is  ready  to  receive 
your  droves.  Not  the  maimed,  the  lean,  the 
halt,  and  the  blind,  and  such  that  you  cannot 
use  ;  it  is  for  the  Lord,  arid  he  wants  no  such 
offering :  but  if  you  want  his  blessing,  give  him 
the  best ;  give  him  as  good  as  he  has  given 
you.  Beds  and  bedding,  socks,  mittens,  shoes, 
clothing  of  every  description,  and  store-goods 
are  needed  for  the  comfort  of  the  labourers  this 
winter;  journeymen  stonecutters,  quarrymen, 
teams  and  teamsters  for  drawing  stone,  and  all 
kinds  of  provision,  for  men  and  beast,  are  need- 
ed in  abundance. 

"  All  money  and  other  property,  designed  for 
tithings  arid  consecrations  to  the  building  of  tlu 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    325 

temple,  must  hereafter  be  presented  to  the  trus- 
tee in  trust,  President  JOSEPH  SMITH,  and 
entered  at  the  recorder's  office,  in  the  book  be- 
fore referred  to. 

"  The  elders,  everywhere,  will  instruct  the 
brethren,  both  in  public  and  in  private,  in  the 
principles  and  doctrines  set  forth  in  this  epis- 
tle, so  that  every  individual  of  the  church  may 
have  a  perfect  understanding  of  his  duty  and 
privilege. 

"  Nauvoo,  Illinois,  Dec.  13th,  1841." 

If  many  of  these  saints  and  brethren  do  not 
ultimately  get  their  eyes  opened,  it  will  be  be- 
cause trickery  cannot  be  sufficiently  palpable, 
or  inconsistency  gross  enough  to  reveal  to  them 
the  true  character  of  their  spiritual  guides. 
Look,  for  example,  at  the  following  proceed- 
ings with  reference  to  Kirtland. 

"  Minutes  of  the  general  conference  of  the 
church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints, 
held  in  Nauvoo,  Hancock  county,  Illinois,  Oct. 
3d,  1840. 

"  The  president  then  rose,  and  stated  that  it 
was  necessary  that  something  should  be  done 
with  regard  to  Kirtland,  so  that  it  might  be  built 
up  ;  and  gave  it  as  his  opinion  that  the  brethren 
from  the  east  might  gather  there,  and  also  that 
it  was  necessary  that  some  one  should  be  ap- 
pointed from  this  conference  to  preside  over 
that  stake. 

"On  motion,  resolved,  that  Elder  A.  Babbitt 
be  appointed  to  preside  over  the  church  in  Kirt- 
land, and  that  he  choose  his  own  counsellors." 


326    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS, 

Mr.  Babbitt,  it  appears,  went  forward  in  dis- 
charge of  the  duties  assigned  him  like  a  tho- 
rough-going man,  and  reported  progress  in  the 
minutes  of  a  conference  held  at  Kirtland,  Octo- 
ber, 1842. 

These  minutes  exhibit  as  much  of  devotion 
to  the  cause,  and  of  enlightened  measures  for 
its  promotion,  as  any  that  can  be  found  on  re- 
cord in  the  Times  and  Seasons.  Among  the 
resolutions  passed  in  said  conference  were 
those  to  the  following  effect : — 

1.  To  be  more  careful  in  the  selection  of 
competent  elders  to  preach  the  gospel  in  cities 
and  towns  of  notoriety. 

2.  To  establish  a  Mormon  press  at  Kirtland, 
and  to  publish  a  periodical. 

3.  To  aid  the  poor,  and  to  purchase  a  horse 
and  wagon  for  the  use  of  the  bishop  in  gather- 
ing for  and  distributing  to  them  ;  also  assigning 
to  him  some  assistance  in  the  work. 

Yet  all  these  proceedings  are  reprobated 
without  mercy  in  the  following  courteous  pro- 
clamation. 

"  All  the  saints  that  dwell  in  that  land  are 
commanded  to  come  away,  for  this  is,  *  Thus 
saith  the  Lord  ;'  therefore  pay  out  no  moneys 
nor  properties  for  houses,  nor  lands,  in  that 
country,  for  if  you  do  you  will  lose  them ;  for 
the  time  shall  come  that  you  shall  not  possess 
them  in  peace,  but  shall  be  scourged  with  a  sore 
scourge  ;  yet  your  children  may  possess  them, 
but  not  until  many  years  shall  pass  away ;  and 
as  to  the  organization  of  that  branch  of  the 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    327 

church,  it  is  not  according  to  the  Spirit  and 
will  of  God  ;  and  as  to  the  designs  of  the  lead- 
ing members  of  that  branch  relative  to  the  print- 
ing press,  and  the  ordaining  of  elders,  and 
sending  out  elders  to  beg  for  the  poor,  are  not 
according  to  the  will  of  God ;  and  in  these 
things  they  shall  not  prosper,  for  they  have 
neglected  the  house  of  the  Lord,  the  baptismal 
font,  in  this  place,  wherein  their  dead  may  be 
redeemed,  and  the  key  of  knowledge,  that  un- 
folds the  dispensation  of  the  fulness  of  times, 
may  be  turned,  and  the  mysteries  of  God  be 
unfolded,  upon  which  their  salvation,  and  the 
salvation  of  the  world,  and  the  redemption  of 
their  dead  depends,  for  thus  saith  the  Lord, 
*  There  shall  not  be  a  general  assembly  for  a 
general  conference  assembled  together  until  the 
house  of  the  Lord  shall  be  finished,  and  the 
baptismal  font,  and,  if  we  are  not  diligent,  the 
church  shall  be  rejected,  and  their  dead  also, 
saith  the  Lord'  therefore  any  proceedings  other- 
wise than  to  put  forth  their  hands  with  their 
might  to  do  this  work,  is  not  according  to  the 
will  of  God,  and  shall  not  prosper  ;  therefore 
tarry  not  in  any  place  whatever,  but  come  forth 
unto  this  place  from  all  the  world,  until  it  is 
filled  up,  and  polished,  and  sanctified  according 
to  my  word,  saith  the  Lord  ;  come  ye  forth  from 
the  ends  of  the  earth,  that  I  may  hide  you  from 
mine  indignation  that  shall  scourge  the  wicked, 
and  then  I  will  send  forth  and  build  up  Kirtland, 
and  it  shall  be  polished  and  refined,  according 
to  my  word  ;  therefore  your  doings,  and  your 


328    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

organizations,  and  designs  in  printing,  or  any 
of  your  councils,  are  not  of  me,  saith  the  Lord, 
even  so,  Amen. 

"  HYRUM  SMITH,  patriarch 

for  the  whole  church" 

Respecting  the  general  prerogatives  of  the 
"  patriarch  of  the  whole  church,"  some  intelli- 
gence is  given  in  the  following  official  announce- 
ment. 

"  The  brethren  are  hereby  notified,  that  our 
well-beloved  brother,  Hyrum  Smith,  patriarch 
of  the  church,  has  erected  a  comfortable  office, 
opposite  his  dwelling  house,  where  himself, 
together  with  his  scribe  and  recorder,  (James 
Sloan,)  will  attend  regularly  every  Monday, 
Wednesday,  and  Friday,  during  the  entire  day, 
or  upon  any  other  day,  if  urgent  circumstances 
require  it,  to  perform  the  duties  of  his  high  and 
holy  calling. 

"A  copy  of  the  blessings  can  be  received 
immediately  after  being  pronounced,  so  that  the 
brethren  who  live  at  a  distance  can  have  it  to 
take  with  them." 

Similar  proceedings  are  had  on  the  other  side 
of  the  Atlantic,  as  stated  by  J.  Blakeslee,  one 
of  the  elders. 

"  I  attended  several  blessing  meetings  while 
I  was  in  Liverpool,  in  company  with  Elders 
Brigham  Young,  John  Taylor,  and  Willard 
Richards,  and  others,  which  was  a  great  satis- 
faction to  me.  Those  meetings  were  attended 
as  follows  : — A  feast  was  prepared  at  a  private 
house,  and  several  brethren  invited  to  attend, 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     329 

and  after  refreshment  the  meeting  was  opened 
by  singing  and  prayer ;  then  the  patriarch 
(Elder  Peter  Mellen)  laid  his  hands  on  the  head 
of  a  brother  or  sister,  as  the  case  might  be,  and 
pronounced  a  sentence  at  a  time,  and  his  scribe 
(Elder  Whitehead)  wrote  the  same.  All  things 
were  conducted  with  decorum,  while  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  came  down  upon  us  in  mighty 
power." 

The  history  of  Mormonism  forms  a  melan- 
choly comment  upon  the  weakness  and  folly 
of  man — man  so  easily  led  astray — so  perverse- 
ly deluded. 

In  conclusion,  one  word  more  to  our  coun- 
trymen who  may  meet  with  the  subjects  or 
propagators  of  this  delusion. 

What  mistake  could  be  greater  than  that  of 
supposing  physical  force  in  any  degree  neces- 
sary to  oppose  its  spread. 

The  force  of  reason,  of  demonstration,  and, 
if  need  be,  of  affectionate  entreaty,  should  in- 
deed be  used.  If,  then,  our  last  appeal  should 
be  unavailing,  the  force  of  experience  will 
doubtless,  in  the  course  of  time,  restore  all  in- 
nocent subjects  of  this  wretched  fanaticism  to 
their  right  mind.  The  following  facts  deserve 
to  be  understood  by  all. 

1.  The  Mormon  Bible  originated  with  men 
destitute  of  a  good  moral  character. 

2.  The  primary  design  of  its  publication  was 
pecuniary  profit. 

3.  Said  Mormon  Bible  bears  prima  facie  evi- 
dence of  imposture. 


330    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

4.  It  basely  perverts  the  language  and  doc- 
trine of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

5.  It  blasphemously  imputes  to  God  language 
inconsistent  with  his  character  and  holiness. 

6.  Excepting  perverted  plagiarisms  from  the 
Scriptures  of  truth,  that  book  is  nothing  but  a 
medley  of  incoherent  absurdities. 

7.  The  system  of  MORMONISM  has  arisen  en- 
tirely from  the  BOOK  OF  MORMON,  and  the  con- 
trivance of  its  "  authors  and  proprietors." 

8.  That  system  has  been  and  still  is  propa- 
gated by  means  of  deception. 

9.  Mormonism,  at  the  same  time  it  pretends 
to  be  "  the  fulness  of  the  gospel,"  is  intrinsi- 
cally infidel,  and  opposed  to  Christianity.     It 
can  never  be  reconciled  with  the  principles  of 
a  pure  religion. 

10.  Its  legitimate  effects  are  to  degrade  and 
heathenize  society. 


MORMONISM  AND  THE   MORMONS.  331 


APPENDIX. 


Containing  addenda  to  the  foregoing  narrative, 
collected  from  the  Times  and  Seasons,  from  Jan- 
uary to  June,  1842,  and  other  authentic  sources. 

A  new  and  revised  edition  of  the  Book  of  Doctrines 
and  Covenants  was  being  stereotyped  on  the  first  of 
January,  to  be  ready  for  printing  in  the  spring. 

A  book  entitled,  Evidences  in  Proof  of  the  Book 
of  Mormon,  by  Charles  Thompson,  has  been  publish- 
ed in  Batavia,  N.  Y.,  containing  256  pages,  32mo. 

Pratt's  Yoice  of  Warning  has  been  republished  in 
England. 

Joseph  Smith,  Lieut.  General  of  the  Nauvoo 
legion,  issued  a  circular  to  his  friends  in  Illinois, 
telling  them  whom  to  vote  for  in  the  approaching 
gubernatorial  election.  * 

The  minutes  of  the  city  council  of  Nauvoo  re- 
present the  mayor  of  that  city  to  have  introduced 
to  his  aldermen  and  councillors,  in  a  highly  eulo- 
gistic address,  the  New- York  Herald,  and  its  editor ; 
whereupon  said  council,  in  its  corporate  capacity, 
solemnly  resolved  that  the  high-minded  and  honour- 
able editor  of  said  Herald  was  deserving  the  lasting 
gratitude  of  the  Mormon  community  for  services 
rendered  their  cause.  They  also  resolved  to  recom- 
mend that  paper  to  the  patronage  of  their  citizens. 


332     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

The  Nauvoo  legion,  by  its  last  annual  returns, 
numbered  fourteen  hundred  and  ninety — "  all  pretty 
well-disciplined  troops. " 

The  NAUVOO  HOUSE. — The  work  on  this  stately 
edifice  was  suspended  during  the  winter,  and  its 
building  committee  and  agents  sent  abroad  to  make 
further  negotiations  in  stock,  &c. 

On  the  18th  of  January,  1842,  Joseph  Smith,  pre- 
sident and  sole  trustee  in  trust  for  the  church  of 
Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints,  makes  known  to 
all  men,  under  his  hand  and  seal,  that  whereas,  in 
Feb.,  1841,  said  Smith  did  constitute  and  appoint  Dr. 
Isaac  Galland  his  attorney,  to  transact  certain  busi- 
ness for  the  church,  and  for  himself  individually,  he 
now  revokes,  countermands,  annuls,  and  makes  void 
all  the  power  and  authority  given  or  intended  to  be 
given  to  said  Isaac  Galland  ! 

What  can  be  the  matter  ?  Is  Elder  Galland  usurp- 
ing too  much  authority  to  suit  Smith,  or  is  he  back- 
ing out  from  the  magnificent  enterprise  of  revolution- 
izing the  religious  world  ^ — a  scheme  too  boundless 
for  ambition  itself! 

The  character  of  Mormon-  inspiration  may  be  seen 
in  the  following  VISION  OF  JOAB,  GENERAL  IN  ISRAEL. 

"  I  stood  in  Mount  Zion,  by  the  TEMPLE  of  the 
great  King,  and  looked  down  through  the  vista  of 
time,  and  saw  people  like  great  waters,  for  they  were 
many,  gathered  from  all  nations  under  the  whole 
heavens  :  and  I  saw  mighty  chieftains  upon  noble 
steeds,  and  armies  of  chariots  and  horsemen,  and 
strong  COHORTS  of  footmen,  great  and  terrible,  with 
spears  and  banners,  and  the  implements  of  war, 
forming  to  the  sound  of  the  clarion.  And  a  great 
shout  was  heard  in  the  camp  of  the  saints,  and  a 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     333 

voice,  like  the  sound  of  a  mighty  trumpet,  saying, 
Go  and  possess  your  inheritance,  and  avenge  the 
wrongs  of  your  progenitors;  and  the  battle  was  set 
in  array,  and  the  armies  of  the  saints  moved  forward, 
attended  by  thunder  and  hail,  and  fire  and  storm, 
conquering  and  to  conquer.  And  the  armies  of  the 
aliens  trembled  at  the  voice,  like  Belshazzar  at  the 
handwriting  on  the  wall ;  and  the  hearts  of  their 
great  warriors  and  valiant  men  fainted  within  them, 
and  they  fled  like  grasshoppers,  and  were  consumed 
like  stubble  before  the  devouring  flame.  The  plains 
were  bleached  with  the  bones  of  the  slain,  and  the 
rivers  flowed  with  blood.  The  fierce  anger  of  the 
Lord  returned  not  until  he  had  done,  nor  until  he  had 
performed  the  intents  of  his  heart.  All  were  con- 
quered, and  the  land  possessed.  Time  passed  on, 
and  I  saw  '  their  swords  beat  into  plough-shares,  and 
their  spears  into  pruning-hooks,'  and  the  goodly  land 
yielding  a  rich  increase ;  and  the  luxuries  of  the 
earth,  and  the  choice  fruits  of  the  field,  were  in  great 
profusion  scattered  upon  the  plains  of  Eden.  And 
I  saw  flocks  and  herds,  large  and  numerous,  feeding 
upon  the  luxuriant,  waving  fields  ;  and  the  saints 
praising  God  in  his  sanctuary,  and  in  the  firmament 
of  his  power,  for  his  mighty  acts,  and  his  excellent 
greatness,  with  the  sound  of  the  trumpet,  psaltery, 
and  harp,  with  the  timbrel  and  dance,  with  stringed 
instruments  and  organs,  and  upon  the  loud  and  high- 
sounding  cymbals,  making  melody  in  their  hearts, 
and  singing  loud  hosannas  to  God  and  to  the  Lamb, 
And  I  heard  a  great  shout  in  the  camp  of  Israel, 
ringing  through  their  mighty  hosts,  'Holy,  holy, 
holy,  Lord  God  Almighty,  which  was,  and  is,  and  is 
to  come;'  and  the  saints  of  light  were  clad  in  rich 
attire,  decked  with  jewels  and  costly  pearls,  dia- 
monds, and  the  gold  of  Ophir.  Universal  peace, 
plenteous  munificence,  and  unalloyed  happiness  pre- 


BANCROFT 


334     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

vailed  with  every  soul  of  man  :  all  were  habited  in 
rich  white  robes,  and  glittering  crowns,  and  gave  to 
God  the  glory.  And  a  loud  voice  proclaimed,  This 
is  the  reward  of  those  who  have  kept  the  faith,  and 
endured  sound  doctrine,  and  the  teachings  of  my 
prophets,  contrary  to  the  traditions  of  men." 

P.  P.  Pratt  proposes  to  send  one  thousand  dollars 
from  England  toward  erecting  the  temple.  He  says 
the  "  everlasting  inheritance"  of  the  saints  is  called, 
by  Mormons  in  England,  the  LAND  OF  JOSEPH. 

J.  Blakeslee  writes  from  Utica,  New- York,  10th 
of  January,  that  Mormonism  is  succeeding  to  aston- 
ishment in  that  region,  and  that  he  cannot  fill  one 
tenth  of  the  numerous  and  pressing  calls  on  him  for 
preaching. 

The  editorship  of  the  Times  and  Seasons  was,  on 
the  15th  of  Feb.,  transferred  to  Gen.  Smith,  the  pro- 
phet, who  promises  to  make  that  journal  very  inte- 
resting, by  means  of  the  revelations  he  is  receiving 
from  the  Most  High.  As  though  this  device  was 
not  smart  enough  to  keep  his  twopenny  sheet  going, 
he  has  since  commenced  publishing  his  autobiogra- 
phy. It  is,  however,  nothing  but  the  old  story  about 
the  plates  and  the  angel,  with  a  few  emendations  to 
save  appearances. 

That  our  readers  may  see  what  materials  are  used 
in  making  and  confirming  Mormons,  we  copy  from 
Smith's  paper  of  March  1st  a  cut,  entitled,  "A  fac- 
simile from  the  book  of  Abraham,  No.  1."  Any  per- 
son who  will  take  the  trouble  to  consult  the  paper, 
will  perceive  that  the  explanation  given  by  the  editor 
is  arbitrary  and  absurd  in  the  extreme.  He  yhoulJ 
have  called  it 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.          335 
ILLUSTRATION  OF  MORMONISM,  No.  1. 


Fig.  1,  which  he  calls  "  Abraham  fastened  upon 
an  altar,"  may  be  considered  to  represent  either  rea- 
son or  true  religion,  which  lies  prostrate  and  bound, 
about  to  be  stabbed  to  the  vitals  by  No.  2,  the  black 
and  ugly  genius  of  Mormonism,  who  stands  brandish- 
ing his  murderous  knife  in  fiendish  triumph.  No.  3, 
which  Smith  has  blasphemously  denominated  the 
angel  of  the  Lord,  is  nothing  more  nor  less  than  the 
raven  of  despair,  croaking  over  the  doleful  scene. 
The  images  and  reptiles  occupying  the  foreground 
are  fit  emblems  of  the  idolatry  to  which  Mormonism 
consigns  its  victims,  and  of  the  loathsome  character 
of  this  moral  pest, 


336     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

About  the  1st  of  April  John  Snider  was  sent  as  a 
special  messenger  to  the  saints  in  England,  bearing 
revelations  designed  to  hasten* their  gathering  at 
Nauvoo. 

In  a  long  essay  upon  "  Try  the  Spirits,"  General 
Smith  endeavours  to  "  drag  into  day-light,  and  de- 
velop the  hidden  mysteries  of  the  FALSE  spirits  that 
are  so  FREQUENTLY  made  manifest  among  the  Latter- 
day  Saints."  He  says,  "  No  man  can  do  this  with- 
out the  priesthood,  and  having  a  knowledge  of  the 
laws  by  which  spirits  are  governed."  He,  however, 
being  "  a  discerner  of  spirits,"  doubtless  speaks 
"  knowingly  and  by  authority,"  when  he  says  none 
of  those  spirits  should  be  countenanced  save  his  own. 
One  rule  by  which  he  distinguishes  a  good  angel 
from  a  bad  one,  is  "  by  the  colour  of  his  hair."  It 
should  not  be  sandy. 

A  weekly  paper,  called  The  Wasp,  has  been  com- 
menced at  Nauvoo,  edited  by  William  Smith,  and 
devoted  to  the  interests  of  Mormonism. 

The  work  on  the  temple  was  progressing  on  the 
2d  of  May  with  such  rapidity  as  to  give  hope  that 
the  edifice  may  be  enclosed  by  the  fall  of  1842. 

Professor  Turner,  of  Illinois  College,  has  just  pub- 
lished a  work  entitled,  Mormonism  in  all  Ages ;  or 
the  Rise,  Progress,  and  Causes  of  Mormonism,  with 
the  Biography  of  its  Author  and  Founder,  Joseph 
Smith,  Jr. 

On  glancing  at  the  title  of  this  book  we  were  in- 
clined to  suppose  that  the  prophet  would  feel  him- 
self highly  complimented  at  being  installed  at  once 
as  the  AUTHOR  and  FOUNDER  of  a  system  existing  in 
all  ages.  A  perusal  of  the  volume,  however,  has 
convinced  us  that,  on  the  whole,  Smith  will  not  feel 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     337 

very  grateful  for  the  compliments  it  contains,  how- 
ever much  his  followers  and  the  public  may. 

The  appearance  of  such  a  work  gives  evidence  that 
the  religious  community  is  at  length  awaking  to 
the  necessity  of  exposing  and  combating  the  tre- 
mendous infidel  agency  which  is  at  work  under  the 
cover  of  Mormonism,  and  threatening  to  unsettle  the 
grounds  of  all  rational  belief,  as  well  as  to  plunge 
one  of  the  fairest  portions  of  our  country  into  the 
vortex  of  an  atheistical  anarchy.  It  appears  to  us 
that  Professor  T.  has  involved  himself  in  a  species 
of  self-contradiction,  by  maintaining  that  Joe  Smith 
is  the  real  and  sole  author  of  the  Book  of  Mormon, 
while,  at  the  same  time,  he  proves  the  identity  of 
that  book  with  the  Spalding  manuscript,  and  sup- 
poses Joe  to  have  possessed  himself  of  the  latter 
while  in  the  employment  of  Mr.  Stowell,  in  Che- 
nango  county,  New- York.  The  question  at  issue 
here  is  one  of  comparative  unimportance. 

We  are,  however,  far  from  assenting  to  the  posi- 
tion that  unity,  either  of  style  or  sentiment,  prevails 
throughout  the  Mormon  Bible.  Those  who  had  seen 
Spalding's  MANUSCRIPT  say  that  the  religious  parts 
of  the  Book  of  Mormon  have  been  added.  Now, 
these  parts  bear  a  distinctive  character,  (that  of 
Campbellism,)  which  Smith  was  utterly  unqualified 
to  give  them  until  after  his  connection  with  Rigdon. 
This  shows  that  there  were  at  least  three  parties  to 
the  real  authorship  ;  and  we  think  it  would  be  sheer 
injustice  not  to  put  Oliver  Cowdery,  the  schoolmas- 
ter, upon  as  good  (literary)  footing  as  his  more  am- 
bitious pupil,  Joseph  Smith,  Jr. 

Although  we  regard  Professor  T.'s  philosophy  of 
fanaticism  as  a  little  fanciful,  and  think  that  a  few 
exceptions  should  be  taken  to  his  view  of  human 
testimony,  yet  we  hail  his  work  as  one  of  deep  inte- 
rest, and  of  an  eminently  practical  bearing. 
22 


338    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 

Gov.  Boggs,  of  Missouri,  was  assassinated  in  his 
own  house  at  Independence,  on  the  7th  of  May.  Ru- 
mour was  immediately  set  afloat  that  some  adherent 
of  Mormonism  had  performed  the  deed  as  an  act  of 
revenge.  We  are  inclined  to  believe  this  a  false 
accusation,  which  the  murderer  either  invented,  or 
supposed  would  naturally  arise,  to  screen  himself 
from  detection  and  punishment. 

Late  accounts  from  England  represent  Mormon 
principles  to  be  rapidly  spreading  there,  in  the  face 
of  all  opposition. 

Two  ship  loads  of  emigrants  have  recently  arrived 
at  Nauvoo,  and  another  is  expected  soon. 

A  Mormon  by  the  name  of  Nickerson  is  said  to  be 
creating  considerable  excitement  in  Boston  and  its 
vicinity. 

Smith's  "  fac-similes  from  the  book  of  Abraham" 
have  been  copied  in  one  or  two  eastern  prints,  at 
which  circumstance  the  prophetic  editor  seems  high- 
ly elated,  not  perceiving  that  both  his  pictures  and 
himself  are  the  butt  of  ridicule.  He  seems  to  court 
notoriety  at  any  expense. 

Benjamin  Winchester,  Mormon  elder  at  Philadel- 
phia, has  been  silenced  from  preaching,  until  he 
makes  satisfaction  for  not  obeying  the  first  presi- 
dency at  Nauvoo. 

As  a  closing  comment  on  speculative  Mormonism, 
we  subjoin  the  following  statement,  on  the  authority 
of  the  newspapers. 

•'  Joe  Smith,  the  Mormon  prophet,  has  applied  for 
the  benefit  of  the  BANKRUPT  act.  His  debts,  he 
states,  are  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  Sidney 
Rigdon  and  Hy rum  Smith,  the  other  Mormon  lead- 
ers, have  also  petitioned." 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.    339 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Prevalence  of  imposture — Religion  its  favourite  dis- 
guise— Character  of  Mormonism — Causes  of  its  spread — 
Extent  of  the  delusion — It  furnishes  capital  for  infidelity — - 
Design  of  this  work — Wickedness  and  folly  of  persecu- 
tion— The  true  remedy — Notice  of  Howe's  History — 
CorrilPs — Golden  Bible — Topics  of  inquiry Page  11 


CHAPTER  II. 

Character  of  inspired  men — Vicious  habits  of  the  Smiths 
— Cupidity  of  Harris — A  chance  lie — Contradictions  in 
maintaining  it — A  speculation  contrived — Money-digging 
on  the  Susquehannah — A  runaway  match — Shocking  des- 
titution of  moral  principle 19 


CHAPTER  III. 

Sidney  Rigdon — Solomon  Spalding — The  '*  Manuscript 
Found"  proved  to  be  identical  with  the  Mormon  Bible — 
Spalding's  widow — Rigdon's  retirement  at  Pittsburgh — 
His  subsequent  course  in  Ohio  36 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Book  of  Mormon  published— Testimony  of  the 
witnesses — Cross  examination — Probable  motives  of  these 
men — Contents  of  the  book  .  49 


340    MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 


CHAPTER  V. 

P.  P.  Pratt  makes  his  appearance  in  Ontario  county — 
He  is  forthwith  converted  and  ordained — Mission  to  the 
Lamanites — Smith's  wife  constituted  amanuensis — Easy 
method  of  getting  a  revelation — Lamanites  found  in 
Ohio — Rigdon's  conversion — Pratt's  denial  of  the  con- 
trivance examined Page  60 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Early  developments  in  Ohio — Rigdon  visits  Smith — 
Becomes  prime  coadjutor — Revelation — Kirtland  becomes 
the  land  of  promise — Spirit  of  the  new  religion — Proper 
signification  and  character  of  Mormonism — Bugbear  sto- 
ries— Financial  policy — The  gift  of  tongues 70 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Preliminary  operations  in  Missouri — Mormon  El  Dora- 
do— Experience  of  Mr.  Booth — Smith's  position  and  au- 
thority in  the  church — Commandments — Communion  with 
black  spirits  and  white — Treasures — Foundation  of  Zion — 
The  prophet  nearly  drowned  in  the  "  river  of  destruc- 
tion"— Comment  on  Rigdon's  conversion 90 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Zion  established — Enthusiasm  of  the  gathering  to  Mis- 
souri— Origin  of  difficulties — Mob  law — Mutual  provoca- 
tions— Expulsion  of  Mormons  from  Jackson  county — 
Revelations  on  the  subject — Army  of  Zion — Essay  at 
miracles — Exhibitions  of  valour — End  of  the  cam- 
paign   101 


MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS.     341 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Theological  studies — Book  of  Doctrines  and  Cove- 
nants— The  name  of  Latter-day  Saints  adopted — Specula- 
tion in  mummies — Manuscript  of  Abraham — Authorities 
of  the  church — Description  of  the  temple — Closing  scenes 
in  Ohio Page  1 16 


CHAPTER  X. 

Progress  of  events  in  Missouri — Inflammatory  preach- 
ing— Secret  society — Hostilities — War  of  extermination 
— Cruelties  inseparable  from  such  an  order — Trial  of  the 
leaders — Testimony  before  the  court  of  inquiry — Charged 
as  ex  parte  129 


CHAPTER  XL 

Escape  to  Illinois — Sufferings — Persecution  defeats 
itself — Injustice — Sympathies  of  the  community — Isaac 
Galland — Magnificent  enterprise — Place  of  gathering — 
Missions  to  England — J.  C.  Bennett — Revenge — New 
revelation,  corresponding  to  Galland's  advice — Charters 
for  a  city — University  and  legion 155 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Military  organization — General  orders — Astonishing 
parade — Smith  outdoes  Matthias — Progress  of  the  sect  in 
England — Letter  to  the  queen — Literary  eminence — 
Moving  orders — Dissatisfaction  among  the  emigrants — 
Latest  instructions — Advantages  of  the  Mormon  po- 
licy   183 


342     MORMONISM  AND  THE  MORMONS. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Theology  of  Mormonism — Derivation — Affinity  to 
Campbellism — Improvements  upon  the  old  system — Mi- 
racles— Tongues — Conflicting  medley  of  doctrines — Du- 
plicity of  the  advocates  of  Mormonism — Honesty  of  many 
of  its  followers — Real  and  distinguishing  tenets — Eternity 
of  matter — Materiality  of  God — Baptism  for  the  dead — 
Interdiction  of  the  same — Desecrations  of  the  sabbath 

Page  215 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Relation  of  Mormonism  to  Christianity — Glance  at  the 
Book  of  Mormon — New  and  improved  edition — Author 
and  proprietor  becomes  translator — Chronology — A  brass 
ball — Miraculous  navigation — Narrative— Antecedent  voy- 
age— Bloody  wars — Antiquities  of  Central  America  in 
proof  of  Mormonism — Colour  of  the  Indians  accounted 
for..  .  253 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Prophecies — Plagiarisms — Caricature  of  Scripture — 
Plates — Contrivance  to  forestall  objections — Harris's  visit 
to  Dr.  Anthon — Dr.  Anthon's  letter — Immersion  insti- 
tuted— Wickedness  of  infant  baptism — Duplicity  of  Mor- 
mon teachers  exhibited — Their  system  carried  out — Fool- 
ish vagaries — Rival  revelator  in  New- York — Phelps'  hu- 
miliation— Cowdery's  present  position — Reprobation  of 
Kirtland — Patriarch's  office — Blessing  meetings — Sum- 
mary and  conclusion  287 


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ING, D.  D.,  by  Rev.  Abel  Stevens.  An  engraved  portrait  ac- 
companies each  sketch.  The  illustrations  are :  Epworth 
Church;  Epworth  Rectory;  Charter-House;  Old  Foundery; 
First  Methodist  Church  in  Ohio;  Methodist  Book  Concern; 
Madeley  Church ;  the  House  in  which  Fletcher  was  born ; 
Pickering's  Mansion ;  Wesleyan  Theological  Institute,  Rich- 
mond, England ;  its  Entrance  Hall  and  Principal  Staircase ; 
and  a  fine  engraving  of.  the  New-England  Conference,  assem- 
bled in  the  old  Bromfleld-street  Church,  Boston. 

Asburifs  Journal. 

JOURNAL  OF  REV.  FRANCIS  ASBTJRY,  Bishop  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  3  vols. 

12mo.,  pp.  524, 492,  502.    Price $3  00 

Mr.  Asbury's  Journals  extend  from  the  meeting  of  the  Con- 
ference held  in  Bristol,  England,  August  7,  1771,  when  he 
received  his  appointment  from  Mr.  Wesley  as  a  missionary 
to  America,  to  December  7, 1815,  within  a  few  months  of  his 
death,  a  period  of  forty-four  years. 

The  Journals  have  long  been  out  of  print.  The  edition  now 
offered  is  far  better  than  the  old  one:  the  dates  have  been 
carefully  collated  and  rectified,  and  a  careful  index  to  the 
three  volumes  is  given  at  the  end.  In  these  volumes  will 
be  found  the- beginnings  (almost)  of  the  history  of  Methodism 
in  America;  and,  as  such,  their  value  is  incalculable  to  the 
Church.  But  as  a  record  of  apostolic  zeal  and  fidelity,  of  a 
spirit  of  self-sacrifice  rivalling  that  of  the  saints  and  martyrs 
of  the  early  Church,  of  an  industry  which  no  toils  could  weary, 
of  a  patience  which  no  privations  could  exhaust,  it  is  full  of 
interest  to  every  minister  of  the  gospel,  and  to  every  Chris- 
tian.— Methodist  Quarterly  Review. 


WORKS  PUBLISHED  BY  CARLTON  &  PHILLIPS, 

200  Mulberry-street,  New- York. 

Christ  and  Christianity. 

CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY  :  a  Vindication  of  the  Divine 
Authority  of  the  Christian  Religion,  grounded  on  the 
Historical  Verity  of  the  Life  of  Christ.  By  WILLIAM 
LINDSAY  ALEXANDER,  D.  D, 

12mo.,  pp,  316.    Price $0  70 

Lives  of  the  Popes. 

THE  LIVES  OF  THE  POPES.  From  A.  D.  100  to  A.  D.  1853. 
From  the  London  Edition. 

12mo.,  pp.  566.    Muslin $0  80 

We  take  pleasure  in  placing  the  work  before  American  readers 
in  a  more  convenient  form  than  that  of  its  first  publication, 
and  trust  that  it  will  be  extensively  perused  by  young  and 
old  throughout  our  land.  No  nation  ought  to  be  better  ac- 
quainted than  ours  with  the  history  of  the  Popes,  and  the 
system  of  religion  of  which  they  are  acknowledged  heads ; 
for  none  has  more  to  fear  from  the  movements  of  Romanists. 

There  is  no  work  extant,  to  our  knowledge,  that  covers  the  samo 
ground.  It  gives  in  compendious  form  the  history  of  the 
Papacy  from  its  very  beginning  down  to  the  pontificate  of 
Pius  IX. — a  kind  of  information  which  the  American  people 
stand  much  in  need  of  just  now. — Methodist  Quarterly  Review. 

The  work  is  well  adapted  to  popular  reading,  and  supplies  a 
previous  lack  in  the  current  literature  of  the  age. —  Christian 
Witness. 

Mattison  on  the  Trinity. 

THE  DOCTRINE  OF  THE  TRINITY  :  or,  a  Check  to  Modern 
Arianism ;  as  taught  by  Unitarians,  Hicksites,  New 
Lights,  Universalists,  and  Mormons  ;  and  especially  by 
a  sect  calling  themselves  "Christians."  By  Rev.  HIRAM 
MATTISON,  A.  M.  Sixth  edition. 

16mo.,  pp.  162.    Price SO  21 

This  small  volume  is  wisely  intended  to  meet  a  practical  want, 
by  defending  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity — not  so  much  against 
scholastic  speculation  as  against  the  more  popular  forms  of 
error. — New -York  Recorder. 

This  is  an  exceedingly  well- written  and  valuable  work— clear, 
concise,  logical,  and  Scriptural.  The  author  shows  himself 
a  complete  master  of  his  subject,  explaining  what  is  expli- 
cable, and  proving  what  is  provable.  His  plan  is  original, 
but  happy;  and  his  style  is  easy  and  attractive. — Alabama 
Baptist. 


WORKS  PUBLISHED  BY  CAKLTON  &  PHILLIPS, 

200  Mulberry-street.  New- York. 


Wise's  Path  of  Life. 

The  Path  of  Life ;  or,  Sketches  of  the  "Way  to  Glory  and 
Immortality.  A  Help  to  Young  Christians.  By  llev. 
DANIEL  WISE. 

16mo,,  pp.  262.    Muslin,  gilt  back SO  50 

Do.     gilt  edges 075 

The  topics  treated  of  by  Mr.  YVise  are  of  the  most  important 
character,  and  are  discussed  in  a  lively  and  impressive  style, 
with  copious  and  pleasing;  illustrations.  The  book  is  a  most 
admirable  one  for  young  Christians,  and  is  well  adapted  for 
usefulness. — Pittsburgh  Christian  Advocate. 

The  author  has  written  this  work  for  the  guidance  of  young 
pilgrims  of  the  cross.  lie  has  not  only  furnished  an  emi- 
nently useful  and  instructive,  but  a  highly  entertaining  guide. 
— ZiorCs  Herald. 

Curry's  Life  of  Wiclif. 

The  Life  of  Rev.  John  Wiclif,  D.  D.  Compiled  from  Au- 
thentic Sources.  By  Rev.  DANIEL  CURRY,  A.  M. 

18ino.,  pp.  326.    Muslin $040 

This  work  embraces  the  early  history  of  "  glorious  John  Wic- 
lif;"  his  controversy  with  the  mendicant  friars  ;  the  affairs  of 
Europe  at  the  time  that  he  was  at  Oxford,  (1306;)  Wiclif's 
promotion,  persecution,  confession  of  doctrines  ;  the  Papal 
schism  ;  Wiclif  as  a  preacher ;  his  translation  of  the  Bible  ; 
the  Sacramental  controversy  ;  an  account  of  his  banishment 
from  Oxford  ;  his  death,  character,  opinions,  and  disciples. 

A  very  interesting  work,  presenting  a  clear,  correct,  and  con- 
cise statement  of  the  history  and  doctrines  of  a  man  to  whom 
the  world  is  largely  indebted. — Northern  Christian  Advocate. 

This  is  a  timely  and  exceedingly  interesting  volume.  The  ma- 
terials have  been  mostly  drawn  from  the  great  work  of  Dr. 
Vaughan,  which  is  the  only  complete  history  of  the  John  the 
Baptist  of  the  Reformation.  Mr.  Curry  has  performed  a  good 
work  for  the  Church,  and  we  hope  it  will  be  highly  appreci- 
ated and  amply  rewarded.  Let  the  Life  of  Wiclif  be  found 
in  all  our  families. — Methodist  Quarterly  Review 

Finley's  Memorials  of  Prison  Life. 

Memorials  of  Prison  Life.     By  Rev.  J.  B.  FINLEY,  Chap- 
lain to  the  Ohio  State  Prison.    Edited  by  Dr.  TEFFT. 
12mo.,  pp.  354.    Muslin $0  75 


WOKKS  PUBLISHED  BY  CARLTON  &  PHILLIPS, 

200  Mulberry-street,  New-York. 


Clarke's  Sacred  Literature. 

A  Concise  View  of  the  Succession  of  Sacred  Literature, 
in  a  Chronological  Arrangement  of  Authors  and  their 
Works,  from  the  Invention  of  Alphabetical  Characters 
to  A.  D.  395.  By  ADAM  CLARKE,  LL.  D. 

12mo.,  pp.  420.    Muslin  or  sheep $0  70 

The  work  commences  with  the  giving  of  the  law  on  Mount 
Sinai.  It  contains  the  date  and  argument  of  every  book  of 
Scripture,  and  of  all  the  writings  of  the  Jews  and  Christian 
Fathers  that  are  extant,  down  to  the  year  395  ;  and  in  some 
instances  the  analysis  of  the  different  works  is  copious  and 
extensive. 

This  work  contains  much  important  information  relative  to 
Biblical  and  ecclesiastical  literature. —T.HARTWELLlIoRNE. 

We  know  not  in  what  manner  we  could  render  a  more  valu- 
able service  to  the  student  who  is  directing  his  attention  to 
this  branch  of  knowledge,  than  to  recommend  him  to  avail 
himself  of  the  guidance  which  the  interesting  work  before 
us  supplies. — Eclectic  Review. 

An  undertaking  which  none  but  a  master-spirit  would  pre- 
sume to  touch,  and  one  which  none  but  the  hand  of  a  mas- 
ter could  ever  satisfactorily  execute. — Imperial  Magazine. 

Coke,  (Dr.  Thomas)  Life  of. 

The  Life  of  Thomas  Coke,  L.L.  D. :  including  in  detail 
his  various  Travels  and  extraordinary  Missionary  Ex- 
ertions in  England,  Ireland,  America,  and  the  West  In- 
dies ;  with  an  Account  of  his  Death,  while  on  a  Mission- 
ary Voyage  to  the  East  Indies,  &c.  By  SAMUEL  DREW. 
With  a  Portrait. 

ISmo.,  pp.  381.    Muslin  or  sheep $0  60 

Under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Wesley,  he  took  the  superintend- 
ence of  the  foreign  work ;  and  for  many  years  was  such  an 
example  of  Missionary  zeal  and  enterprise  as  the  Christian 
Church  has  rarely  seen.  His  sermons  in  connexion  with 
the  Methodist  Missions  were  marked  by  an  energy,  disin- 
terestedness, and  perseverance  which  can  never  be  forgot- 
ten ;  and  in  importance  and  success  they  are  second  only 
to  those  of  the  venerated  man  whom  he  owned  as  his  father 
in  the  Lord. — Rev.  THOMAS  JACKSON. 

N.  B.— The  Life  of  Mrs.  Coke  is  in  the  Sunday-School  Cata- 
logue, price  20  cents. 


WORKS  PUBLISHED  BY  CARLTON  &  PHILLIPS, 

200  Mulberry-street,  New-York. 


Wesley,  (Charles^  Life  of. 

Life  of  Charles  Wesley ;  comprising  a  Eeview  of  his  Poe- 
try, Sketches  of  the  Rise  and  Progress  of  Methodism, 
with  Notices  of  Contemporary  Events  and  Characters. 
By  Rev.  THOMAS  JACKSON.  With  a  Portrait. 

8vo.,  pp.  800.   Plain  sheep $1  75 

Plain  calf 225 

Calf  gilt 2  50 

Calf  extra 3  00 

The  name  of  Charles  Wesley  will  ever  be  in  honourable  re- 
membrance as  the  coadjutor  of  his  brother  in  that  exten- 
sive revival  of  true  religion  which  distinguished  the  last 
century,  and  as  the  author  of  the  greater  portion  of  those 
incomparable  hymns,  the  use  of  which  has,  for  nearly  one 
hundred  years,  formed  so  prominent  a  part  of  the  devotions 
of  "the  people  called  Methodists."  Although  more  than 
fifty  years  have  -passed  away  since  he  rested  from  his  la- 
bours, there  has  been  no  separate  memoir  of  his  life  until 
the  appearance  of  the  present  volume,  which  is,  in  many 
respects,  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  important  works 
on  religious  biography  that  has  issued  from  the  press  for 
many  years.  It  is  chiefly  prepared  from  the  journals  and 
private  papers  of  Mr.  Wesley,  which  were  kept  in  his  family 
till  the  death  of  his  daughter  in  1828,  when  they  became 
the  property  of  the  Wesleyan  Conference.  No  Methodist 
preacher  should  be  without  it. 

M'Owan  on  the  Sabbath. 

Practical  Considerations  on  the  Christian  Sabbath.  By 
Rev.  PETER  M'OwAN.  Treating  on  the  Design  and 
Moral  Obligation  of  the  Sabbath ;  its  change  from  the 
Seventh  to  the  First  Day  of  the  Week ;  and  the  Spirit 
and  Manner  in  which  it  ought  to  be  Sanctified. 

18mo.,  pp,  200.    Muslin  $0  30 

The  desecration  of  the  holy  day  is  so  common,  that  no  effort 
should  be  spared  to  bring  about  a  better  state  of  things. 
This  Manual  is  recommended  as  a  timely  and  thorough  ex- 
position of  the  subject.  It  treats  of  the  original  and  gene- 
ral design  of  the  Sabbath;  moral  obligation  of  the  day  ;  its 
change  from  the  seventh  to  the  first  day  of  the  week,  and 
the  spirit  and  manner  in  which  it  ought  to  be  sanctified. 


Hfc 


WORKS  PUBLISHED  BY  CAELTON  &  PHILLIPS, 

200  Mulberry-street,  New-York. 


Clarke,  (Dr.  Adam,)  Life  of. 

An  Account  of  the  Religious  and  Literary  Life  of  Adam 
Clarke,  LL.  D.,  F.  A.  S.,  £c.,  &c.  Edited  by  Rev.  J.  B. 
CLARKE,  M.  A. 

12ino,,  3  vols,  in  one,  pp.  820.    Sheep SI  00 

This  work  is  justly  considered  one  of  the  most  interesting 
biographies  ever  published.  His  varied  and  extensive  learn- 
ing necessarily  associated  hirn  with  some  of  the  first  men 
of  the  age. 

There  is  one  great  lesson  to  be  learned  from  the  history  ol 
this  extraordinary  man.  It  is  the  incalculable  advantages 
of  industry  and  perseverance.  Every  young  person,  and 
every  minister  especially,  should  place  before  him  the  ex- 
ample of  Dr.  Clarke  and  take  encouragement. — T.  JACKSON. 

Dr.  Clarke  was  especially  revered  in  the  Methodist  connexion 
for  his  piety,  zeal,  apostolical  simplicity,  and  ministerial  use- 
fulness The  whole  Christian  Church  bore  willing  testimo- 
ny to  his  sanctified  learning.  For  nearly  half  a  century  did 
he  continue  to  perform  the  most  important  labours  as  the 
servant  of  God  and  of  mankind,  in  various  departments  of 
the  Church,  with  great  integrity,  and  with  an  industry  which 
perhaps  has  never  been  surpassed.  We  very  cordially  re- 
commend this  "Life"  to  the  attention  of  our  readers.  It 
is  full  of  interesting  information. —  Wesley  an  Magazine. 

Wesley's  Letters. 

Select  Letters,  chiefly  on  Personal  Religion.  By  Rev. 
JOHN  WESLEY.  With  a  Sketch  of  his  Character,  by 
Rev.  SAMUEL  BRADBURN. 

12mo.,  pp.  240,    Muslin  or  sheep SO  50 

Mr.  Wesley's  Letters  were  written  not  to  circulate  idle  gos- 
sip, or  to  nourish  a  sickly  sentimentality,  but  to  urge  for- 
ward his  correspondents  in  the  divine  life,  that  they  might 
attain  all  the  mind  there  was  in  Christ,  and  make  their  call- 
ing  and  election  sure.  They  present  an  agreeable  variety 
of  subjects;  and  it  is  hoped  they  will  prove  acceptable  to 
a  numerous  class  of  readers  to  whom  the  entire  works  of 
the  venerable  writer  are  inaccessible.  To  the  use  of  the 
closet,  and  of  private  reading,  it  is  presumed,  they  are  es- 
pecially adapted.  The  "  Sketch  of  Mr.  Wesley's  Charac 
ter,"  by  which  the  letters  are  introduced,  contains  several 
interesting  notices  concerning  the  founder  of  Methodism 
wnich  are  not  generally  known. 


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